MANILA, April 27 (AFP, Reuters) - The Philippines on Tuesday stood firm on its decision to allow Wan Azizah Ismail to visit and rejected Kuala Lumpur's claim that Manila was meddling in Malaysian affairs.

President Joseph Estrada brushed aside Malaysia's protest over the planned visit, saying "we are a free country."

Azizah is to arrive in Manila on Wednesday for a three-day visit as a guest of former president Corazon Aquino.

Estrada said Aquino had informed him about Azizah's trip and requested for some security.

"She (Aquino) told me that Mrs. Azizah Anwar is a personal guest and she asked me if I could provide some security to her," Estrada told reporters..

"I think the former president has the right to accept a friend in her own country," he said. "That is not interfering with the internal affairs of Malaysia.... Everybody is welcome here."

"We have to prove to them that we are a free country," he added.

Both Aquino and Azizah were thrust into the limelight following tragedies that struck their husbands.

 In Kuala Lumpur, Wan Azizah shrugged off government criticism of her trip, saying, "I'm not doing anything wrong. I'm actually enhancing bilateral relations,'' she told reporters.

``This is a visit on the invitation of the Rotary Club... It's good for Malaysia that I accept this invitation and meet these people,'' she said.

Wan Azizah, who has formed a multi-ethnic opposition party, was asked if she would present ``anti-establishment'' views in Manila.

``I'm not anti-establishment. I'm anti-injustice, cruelty, brutality. I want to talk about things that I'm 'pro' about, like independence of the judiciary.''

A Philippine embassy official in Kuala Lumpur said Ambassador Jose Brillantes had been summoned to the Malaysian foreign ministry on Monday.

"The visit by Azizah was discussed with Malaysia's under secretary for Southeast-Asia and the Pacific," she said.

She added that the meeting was "amicable" and that the ambassador reiterated that "anyone who wants to come to Philippines can come."

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said earlier that he asked for the envoy to be summoned "to express our unhappiness with the planned visit by Azizah."

Azizah's sponsors, including a foundation led by Mrs Aquini, said the visit would be highlighted by meetings with key political leaders, business executives, leaders of non-government organisations and human rights advocates.

Estrada riled Malaysian officials when he met privately with Azizah on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur last November.

The Philippine leader, who has described Anwar as "my very good friend," also urged the former Malaysian deputy premier to "keep on fighting" after a Malaysian court sentenced him to six years in jail for corruption last April 14.