Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar today confirmed that the suspected Islamist militant caught by Philippines’ authorities earlier this month is a Malaysian.

The Malay Mail Online quoted Khalid as confirming the news report by Philippines' Philstar Global yesterday.

“Earlier there was one suspected Malaysian arrested by Philippines authorities, purportedly because he was an expert in making bombs.

“So, I confirm that he is indeed a Malaysian citizen from Kelantan,” Khalid reportedly told a news conference at the police training academy in Cheras.

“What we know is that this John Doe, this Malaysian is a supporter of the Islamic struggles in the southern Philippines,” he added.

Philstar Global yesterday quoted Philippines army commander Colonel Cirilo Donato as announcing the capture of a Malaysian who was aiding its country’s Abu Sayyaf terrorist group.

The Philippines news agency did not disclose the suspect’s name.

According to the report, the suspect was nabbed while attempting to flee home to Malaysia from a port in Maluso, a town in Basilan - an island province within Philippines’ Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Donato reportedly said the Philippines military was also conducting checks to determine if the suspect was training Abu Sayyaf members to make explosives, as he was caught carrying materials for Improvised Explosive Devices.

Khalid, however, denied any knowledge of the claim, adding that the suspect was not under the watch of the Malaysian military.