BBC News - Malaysia stand-off with Philippine group 15 February 2013 Last updated at 07:14 Malaysian troops are negotiating with about 100 men from the Philippines holed up in a remote part of Sabah on Borneo island, officials say. The men, some reportedly armed, landed in Lahad Datu town earlier this week. Police say they have identified themselves as the "royal army" of the Sulu Sultanate, which has a historic claim to the area. Philippine officials said they were in touch with Malaysia to determine the details, most of which remain unclear. Some reports said that the men had denied links to militant groups in the southern Philippines, and had raised the Philippine flag in the village. "We have sent a team to negotiate with them," Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar was quoted by the country's state news agency Bernama as saying. Discussion is proceeding well and we have told them to leave Sabah peacefully, as we do not want any situation which can threaten the security of the people. Philippine Foreign Ministry spokesman Raul Hernandez told local media that defence and security officials were in touch with Malaysia regarding the situation. "The Philippine government views with concern the unauthorised movements of alleged armed groups which cause disturbances to local communities, and will work with neighbouring countries in addressing the matter," a statement from the Philippine embassy in Malaysia to Bernama on Thursday read. A team has also been sent to Sabah to help determine the group's identity, according to reports. Malaysia's Sabah state shares a sea border with the southern Philippines, which is home to a number of Islamic militant and kidnap-for ransom groups. The journey between the two can take only a few hours. It formed part of the Sulu Sultanate - which once spread over several southern Philippine islands as well as parts of Borneo - before it was designated a British protectorate in the 1800s. Sabah became part of Malaysia in 1963, and the country still pays a token rent to the Sulu Sultanate each year.