MANILA: The Philippine national police chief says a commander of the main Muslim rebel group that recently signed a peace deal with the government has been arrested, a move criticized by rebel leaders.

Director-General Alan Purisima said Monday that police and marine forces arrested Wahid Tundoc, a commander of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front wanted for multiple murder and other charges.

Purisima says Tundoc and some of his armed followers were apprehended Sunday at a government checkpoint in southern Cotabato city.

An official for the rebel group, Ghadzali Jaafar, says immunity guarantees under the cease-fire agreement cover Tundoc, and that talks were underway with the government to free the men. He says the peace deal would not be affected.