Manila: A mercenary group of "bombers-for-hire" are planning attacks in southern Philippines, security forces warned on Tuesday.

The Islamist-trained bombers are offering their services because they “were getting bored and were eager to make use of their talents,” said Major General Raymundo Ferrer in Cotabato.

Ferrer said it was too early to say if freelance bombers were behind attacks on bus terminals in the Cotabato area, including an explosion on Monday that wounded six people.

Ferrer said they were also getting reports that jihadists continue to conduct training with Muslim rebels in Mindanao.