The Malaysian armed forces are conducting 24-hour patrols in waters bordering the Philippines to prevent any intrusion by Muslim rebels fleeing a government crackdown, local media reported today.

Army spokesman Brigadier General Muhamad Yassin Yahya told the official Bernama news agency that although there had been no trace of encroachment by Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) fighters so far, tight security measures were needed as a precaution.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo has sought Malaysia's help as a mediator to bring the MILF rebels back to the negotiating table and stop renewed violence.

Arroyo's special envoy Roberto Romulo said Thursday after talks in Kuala Lumpur that Acting Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had "reconfirmed Malaysia's commitment to assist in the search for peace in the southern Philippines."

Malaysia was due to host peace talks between the MILF and Manila later this year but this was stalled following renewed fighting last month.

The MILF has been waging a 25-year campaign to set up an Islamic state in the south of the mainly Roman Catholic Philippines. AFP