Filipino security forces foiled on Sunday a bombing attempt in the restive southern Philippine city of Iligan, barely three days after a twin blast ripped through shopping malls.

Major Randolph Cabangbang, a regional military spokesperson, said that a powerful bomb was discovered in an area in between San Miguel and Burgos Streets.

"It was timely defused by our bomb experts," he told reporters.

On Dec. 18, three people were killed and 47 others were wounded in explosions that ripped through two department stores in Iligan City.

The military blamed the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as behind the twin blasts but the rebel group dismissed the accusation.

The Philippine government has suspended its peace talks with the MILF and ordered a massive assault after some radical members of the group launched a string of deadly attacks in Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Manila has warned of high threat of terrorism throughout the Philippines and advised its citizens against all travel to Mindanao because of ongoing terrorist activity.

In an updated travel bulletin posted on its website, the embassy said "terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country," citing the twin explosions in Iligan City.

The embassy said that buildings and locations visited by expatriates and tourists are potential targets for terrorists.

"Attacks could be indiscriminate in places including frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers," it said.