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.