Manila (DPA) - Two marines were killed Tuesday in a landmine explosion on a southern Philippine island, a marine spokesman said.
Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caculitan said soldiers tripped the landmine in Sapa-Sapa town in Tawi-Tawi province, 1,020 kilometres south of Manila.
Caculitan said the marines were supposed to mediate a clan war between the Samal and Tausug tribal groups in the area when the incident occurred.
''They (marines) were taking the initiative to settle the difference between the Tausugs and the Samals in the area,'' he said.
''It is possible that the Tausugs were the ones who planted the improvised explosive device.''
Caculitan said more troops have been dispatched to the area to maintain peace and order.
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