"The armed forces are always ready for whenever the government makes a decision. If the cabinet approves it, then we must be there. We are always prepared," deputy defence minister Shafie Apdal was quoted as saying by the Bernama news agency.

Philippine President Gloria Arroyo said this week that the Malaysian presence would "deter terrorist acts" and enable "an effective, durable ceasefire process" with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest Muslim separatist group.

Malaysia has been encouraging peace negotiations between the Philippines and the 12,500-strong MILF, which has waged a 25-year rebellion for an independent Islamic state in the southern third of the mostly Roman Catholic archipelago.

It has also been proposed that Malaysia lead a ceasefire monitoring team including agents from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei and Libya.

Manila suspended formal talks with the MILF earlier this year after an upsurge of bombings and raids on civilian targets by suspected MILF guerrillas.

Both sides have recently met informally to discuss reviving the peace process.

WAR.WIRE