Arroyo declares siege over    2003-07-28 10:28:04

Hundreds of renegade soldiers have returned to their barracks peacefully after a 19－hour standoff. They had stormed a shopping and apartment complex in downtown Manila early on Sunday demanding that the Philippine government resign. Sunday's mutiny took place just 24 hours ahead of a state of the nation address by the country's President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. She denied the standoff had loosened her grip on the presidency.

Booby trap explosives were defused at the scene in the capital's Makati financial district as President Arroyo announced the rogue soldiers' surrender following hours of negotiations and repeated threats she would crush the uprising with loyalist troops.

Arroyo said, "The crisis in Makati is over. 296 soldiers including 70 officers are standing down and returning to their barracks. They are being investigated and their cases are being disposed of in accordance with the articles of war. They have not asked and they shall not be given special treatment."

The Philippines has had dozens of military uprisings and coup attempts since the ousting of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

The standoff at the Glorietta Complex started off dramatically, but later looked like a surreal political protest rather than a coup as the mutineers － their demeanor largely casual despite tanks stationed outside － held a news conference in an apartment building they seized.

The mutinous officers and soldiers complained in a statement about corruption and favoritism. Troops have in the past complained about low and unequal salaries.

Philippines' military officials said that five officers, all captains and lieutenants, regarded as ringleaders, will face the full consequence of what they have done. Civilians involved will also be prosecuted.

Earlier, officials said they would question Senator Gregorio Honasan, accused in a series of brazen coups attempts during the 1980s. Honasan has denied being behind Sunday's uprising.

There were also unconfirmed media reports that supporters of disgraced ex－President Joseph Estrada, now awaiting trial on extensive corruption charges, might also be involved.

Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Ruth Pearce was briefly trapped in an apartment block by the disgruntled soldiers. She was later released unharmed along with other residents of the building.

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