A standoff between mutinous Philippine soldiers and government troops ended Sunday night, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declaring that rebellious forces had abandoned their occupation of downtown building complex.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announces that renegade soldiers barricaded in a Manila shopping center ended a nearly 19-hour standoff without a shot being fired, in Manila July 27, 2003. [Reuters]

"The Crisis is over," Arroyo, smiling, told a news conference at her presidential palace. She said 296 soldiers - 70 of them officers - were returning to barracks.

The breakthrough came after several hours of intense negotiations between senior government officials and the mutineers, who accused Arroyo's government of corruption and urged its resignation.

She said their cases would be prosecuted according to "the articles of war."

"They have not asked for and shall not be given special treatment," she said, adding that any civilians linked to a conspiracy surrounding the mutiny would also be prosecuted.

As she spoke, experts were defusing explosives at the Glorietta complex in the city's financial center, which the rebel troops had seized at about 3 am amid rumors of a coup plot.

Government troops in tanks had surrounded the complex - which includes an Intercontinental Hotel, a large, upscale mall, and apartments housing diplomats and the city's rich.

Arroyo had set two deadlines for using force to defuse the crisis, but both passed as government negotiators entered into talks with the rebellious troops.

"This is a triumph for democracy," she said, looking relieved.

Hours earlier, the president declared a "state of rebellion" giving authorities emergency powers to make arrests without warrants.

In a televised appeal, Arroyo told the rogue soldiers: "Your actions are already hovering at the fringes of outright terrorism. You have already stained the uniform. Do not drench it with dishonor."

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

"We are not attempting to grab power. We are just trying to express our grievances," navy Lt. Sr. Grade Antonio Trillanes said, after the mutineers, armed with rifles and wearing camouflage uniforms and red arm bands, set up gun posts and rigged explosives around the outside of the complex.

Despite a dramatic start, the standoff had taken on a casual air. Mutineers appeared relaxed, despite the tanks outside, as they held news conferences inside the swank, high-rise apartment building.

When marines showed up to surround the complex, TV footage showed them shaking hands with some of the rebel officers, raising questions about what they would do if ordered to mount an assault.

Some residents, including the Australian ambassador, were prevented from leaving the complex, but all were later evacuated, some carrying children and luggage.

Little Public support

Away from the scene, there was little sign of tension as Filipinos took the standoff in stride. It was the latest in long line of coups, and rumors of coups.

Unlike the "people power" revolts that peacefully ousted two presidents in recent years, there appeared to be little public support for the mutiny. The military chief of staff declared loyalty to the president.

US Ambassador Francis Ricciardone had downplayed fears of a nationwide crisis, but advised Americans to stay at home and avoid gatherings.

Rumors of a coup plot spread for the past week. Arroyo took action Saturday, announcing that she had ordered the military and police to hunt down and "arrest a small band of rogue junior officers and soldiers who have deserted their post and illegally brought weapons with them."

The officers responded with a statement and a video just before seizing the complex: They accused the government of selling arms and ammunition to Muslim and communist rebels; staging deadly bombings to justify more aid from the United States; and preparing to declare martial law to stay in power.

"We demand the resignation of our leaders in the present regime," the statement said. "We are willing to sacrifice our lives today, to pursue a program not tainted with politicking."

The defense secretary said he recommended to Arroyo that an independent commission investigate some of the mutineers' concerns. But he warned: "If these renegades don't stand down, they will be dealt with as rebels."

Coup History

There were several coup attempts against former President Corazon Aquino in the late 1980s by officers complaining about corruption.

Rebellious troops in 1989 also occupied the Glorietta center, which they held for several days - with snipers on top of the Intercontinental Hotel and nearby high-rises - before surrendering.

Arroyo was sworn in as president as her predecessor, Joseph Estrada, was forced out in January 2001 by mass protests over alleged corruption. Supporters of Estrada continue to challenge Arroyo's legitimacy as leader.

Estrada was moved Sunday from a military hospital where he has been detained while on trial on corruption charges to the military's Camp Aguinaldo amid concerns that there might be an effort to free him.

Arroyo has said she won't run in elections next May, although rumors persist that she will change her mind.

The 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 the last three decades. But the military remains poorly equipped and trained, hampered by budgetary constraints.

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