MANILA - The planned deployment of a Malaysian team to monitor a ceasefire between the Philippines and local Muslim separatists will deter terrorism and help development, President Gloria Arroyo said today.

She urged the public and government agencies to welcome the Malaysians, saying their presence would "be the start of an effective, durable ceasefire process" with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country's largest Muslim separatist group.