Philippines' Aquino warns sultan in Malaysia stand-off

MANILA (AFP) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino warned a sultan on Tuesday that he would face the "full force of the law" unless he withdraws his gunmen from Malaysia, but the elderly ruler remained defiant.

Dozens of followers of the little-known Sultan of Sulu have been facing off with Malaysian security forces for two weeks, after they sailed from remote southern Philippine islands two weeks ago to stake a territorial claim.

With the incident causing increasing embarrassment to the Philippine government, Mr Aquino made a nationally televised address on Tuesday to try to pressure the sultan into bringing his gunmen back from Malaysia's Sabah state.

"If you choose not to cooperate, the full force of the laws of the state will be used to achieve justice for all who have been put in harm's way," Mr Aquino said.