'High risk' jihadist to walk free

An Australian Islamic extremist facing deportation from the Philippines is set to walk free after he lands in Melbourne — despite Philippines authorities treating him as a "high risk" prisoner.

Musa Cerantonio, 29, an influential preacher in support of Middle East jihadists, has been held alone in a cell inside a Manila police camp since his arrest last Friday in a one-bedroom apartment on the resort island of Cebu, Fairfax Media reports.

His arrest was prompted by Australian authorities cancelling his passport, leaving him without valid documentation in the Philippines.

Mr Cerantonio is set to be deported from the Philippines for immigration violations this weekend.

Both Filipino and Australian authorities have been monitoring him for months for fears he may be recruiting jihadists to fight in foreign paramilitary forces or insurgencies — a violation of Australia's Foreign Incursions and Recruitment Act.

"He is a VIP — a high risk and high value prisoner," a guard was quoted as saying at the police camp where Mr Cerantonio is being held.

But Mr Cerantonio will not be taken into custody in Australia because there are no warrants for his arrest.

Instead he will remain only a "person of interest" in the eyes of Australian Federal Police.