An Australian Islamist suspecting of recruiting Filipino Muslims in support of the ISIS in Syria was arrested by local police on Friday, the first known link between Islamist extremists in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Robert Cerantino (aka Musa), 29, was arrested by Philippine SWAT and Australian Federal Police on Friday early morning in a one-room apartment in Lapu-Lapu city, Cebu.

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The influential online preacher has been under the Australian police's radar for months for suspicion of recruitment and releasing propaganda in support of the ISIS.

A Youtube video uploaded on his website showed Cerantino calling for jihad and urging "brother Muslims" to join the war. He has also reportedly given talks in support of the ISIS in Basilan and Sulu, two provinces where Filipino Muslim rebels operate.

"He has been literally calling for jihad. But we're still validating reports that some Filipino Muslims have responded to his call to arms. His activities here caught the attention of the Australian Federal Police and they alerted us," said a police intelligence officer who declined to be named.

Local police are concerned whether Cerantino was able to recruit Filipino Muslims. However, preliminary investigations showed he had no known contact with local Muslim groups.

The Australian is currently detained at a high-security prison in Manila where suspected terrorists and insurgents are locked up. Authorities say deportation proceedings are underway.

A woman claiming to be Cerantino's wife, Joan Montayre, 32, and an unidentified man were also arrested by police on Friday.

Montayre, who is being held under separate charges of swindling, said she had been married to Cerantino last year. She said Cerantino was a good man but had confirmed that he had been taking to the Internet to spread Islamic teachings.

Meanwhile, Australia has reiterated that it would not tolerate threats from extremists.

"We are determined to ensure that Australians do not leave this country to take up fighting in another country, become radicalized and then return to Australia with these new skills and extremist outlooks," said foreign minister Julie Bishop.

TagsMusa Cerantonio, Robert Cerantonio, Australia, Australian terrorist, Philippine terrorist, ISIS, Syrian rebels, Syrian extremists, jihad, holy war