Philippines urges clan to leave Malaysia village

MANILA (AP) - Philippine President Benigno Aquino has asked a royal Muslim clan leader to order his followers to leave Malaysian land which they claim as their own as soon as possible.

Mr Aquino spoke on national television on Tuesday and told Sultan Jamalul Kiram III that his group should withdraw from Malaysia before the situation gets out of control.

An estimated 180 followers led by the sultan's brother and including about 30 armed men entered the remote coastal village in Malaysia's eastern Sabah state about two weeks ago.

Mr Aquino says Sultan Kiram and his followers would be investigated, along with possible collaborators, suggesting that the incident may have been an act to undermine the Philippine government.