Philippine soldiers defuse landmines in south

Security troops foiled an alleged terror attack in the restive southern Philippines Monday, a regional army official said.

Major Ramon David Hontiverso, a local military spokesperson, said three pressure-type battery-operated landmines were disarmed by patrolling troops in a remote in Zamboanga del Norte province.

He said troops also recovered six gallons of ammonium nitrate soaked in kerosene and bomb components.

Authorities suspect Muslim rebels planted the landmines and attempted to engineer a terrorist attack though no group has claimed responsibility.