MANILA - GOVERNMENT forces have arrested a suspected bomber of the Al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf militant group allegedly behind a failed attempt to bomb a southern airport, officials said on Wednesday.

The suspect, Almid Jundam, was arrested on Tuesday in Jolo township on Jolo island while about to withdraw money from a bank. Soldiers recovered from him a bag containing a wig and a camouflage uniform, Marine Colonel Eugenio Clemen said.

Col Clemen said tips from civilians led to the arrest of Jundam, who allegedly left two improvised bombs on a motorcycle at Jolo's airport on Saturday. The bombs were found before they exploded and were safely defused by experts.

Officials said Jundam has also confessed to carrying out last year's bombing of a cathedral in southern Zamboanga city. No one was hurt in that attack.

A witness also identified Jundam as allegedly behind the fatal shooting last month of two men in Jolo island's Indanan township, officials said.

The Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnappings, beheading hostages and bombings and is on the US list of terrorist groups.

It has been crippled by US-backed military offensives but continues to be a threat in the country's volatile south. Navy spokesman Lt Col Edgard Arevalo said on Wednesday the group, apparently cash-strapped, has ventured into 'narco-terrorism,' using proceeds from illegal marijuana farms to fund their activities.

Since May, marines and anti-drug enforcement agents have uprooted and burned on Jolo at least 7 million pesos (S$213,937) worth of fully grown marijuana plants, he added. -- AP