Mutinous Philippine soldiers end standoff

MANILA, Philippines -- Mutinous troops who seized a Manila shopping and apartment complex demanding the government resign ended a 19-hour standoff late Sunday and returned to barracks without a shot fired.

As President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced the crisis was over in a televised address, retreating mutineers defused the explosives they had rigged up inside the financial district's glass-and-stone Glorietta center.

Arroyo said that 296 soldiers, including 70 officers, were involved and that all would face prosecution based on "the articles of war."

Generals loyal to Arroyo had sent hundreds of troops to surround the besieged complex, home to wealthy Filipinos, foreign businesspeople and diplomats. The surrender by nearly 300 renegade forces followed negotiations between their leaders and top government officials -- and repeated threats from Arroyo to crush the rebellion with armor and sharpshooters.

The mutineers, wearing camouflage and red arm bands emblazoned with white sun rays, carried rifles as they were trucked away to a nearby army base.

The Philippines has seen dozens of military uprisings and coup attempts since the "people power" ouster of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in 1986.

Rumors of a coup

Sunday's rebellion erupted 24 hours ahead of a state of the nation address by Arroyo -- and amid rumors of a coup plot -- but she denied the standoff had loosened her grip on the presidency.

"I assure the world that this event does not in any way injure our national security and political stability," she said.

Renegade troops claimed to have 2,000 supporters, but the group inside the complex was far smaller. There appeared to have been little public support for the mutiny. Arroyo's armed forces chief of staff, Gen. Narciso Abaya, pledged loyalty to the president.

The mutineers had complained about corruption and misconduct by senior officers and the government, as well as favoritism within the ranks and problems with a military retirement fund.

"We are not attempting to grab power. We are just trying to express our grievances," a senior mutiny leader, navy Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes, told reporters. He said the explosives were for self-defense. "If they try to take us down, we will be forced to use it."

Happy it was over

Some emerged from the standoff saying they were happy it was over. "We have gotten across our message clear to the whole nation and maybe to the whole world," said Marine Capt. Nicanor Paeldon.

The unrest at the Glorietta complex started after Arroya ordered the arrest late Saturday of junior officers and soldiers who deserted and were believed to be plotting a coup.

Hours later, at 3 a.m., the mutineers set up gun posts and rigged explosives with wires around the complex, from traffic signs and doors to an upscale department store. Snipers perched atop the twin towers of the Oakwood Hotel, a favorite of foreigners, and lay in wait in the entrance.

Despite its dramatic beginning, the rebellion took on a casual air. Mutineers gave press conferences and seemed relaxed, and marines who showed up to surround the complex first shook hands with some rebellious officers.

Arroyo, a 56-year-old economist, has enjoyed solid public support and is one of the staunchest U.S. allies in Asia. The United States has been working closely with the 120,000-strong Philippine military, which has been battling Muslim separatists and communist rebels for three decades.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Associated Press staffers Paul Alexander, Jim Gomez, Oliver Teves and Teresa Cerojano contributed to this report.