Renegade Philippine soldiers barricaded in an upscale Manila shopping centre ended a nearly 19-hour siege on Sunday and began returning to barracks, witnesses and negotiators said. The disgruntled troops, who accused the government of corruption and colluding with rebels, began dismantling what appeared to be explosive devices they had placed around a residential and office building in the centre of the capital. Indian families safe KUALA LUMPUR: Six Indian families staying in the hotel apartment complex, taken over by the renegade Philippines army officers in a bid to overthrow the government of President Gloria Arroyo, are safe. ‘‘All the six Indian families staying in the Oakwood apartments which is in the area cordoned off by the army, have been escorted out of the hotel and are staying in other hotels away from the area,’’ Navrekha Sharma, Indian Ambassador to Philippines said. (PTI) They had denied they were staging a coup and eventually dropped demands for President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to quit. Arroyo said the crisis was over and the 296 mutineers, including 70 junior officers, would face court martial proceedings. ‘‘Civilians shown to be involved in any conspiracy will be prosecuted,’’ she said in a televised speech. ‘‘I assure the world that this event does not in any way injure our national security and political stability. The issues involved are domestic, operational or administrative. They do not involve fundamental or policy areas.’’ Arroyo, who has the support of the military command, ordered a manhunt on Saturday for up to 70 junior officers and deserters after days of rumours of a coup plot by a small group of soldiers disgruntled about pay and the pace of internal reforms. ‘‘It was agreed they would end the siege and they will march back to barracks,’’ Colonel Danilo Lim, one of the government negotiators, said. Even though the siege ended without a shot being fired, the grievances — including demands for Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes, the Chief of national police and the head of military intelligence to quit — remain unresolved. The US expressed its full backing for Arroyo, who has been one of Washington’s most fervent supporters in the war on terror. Her security forces have received US training as they battle a host of Muslim and communist guerrilla groups. Tanks, armoured vehicles and hundreds of loyal troops encircled the 26-storey Oakwood building in the Glorietta shopping centre after the renegades took it over. Australian ambassador Ruth Pearce and other foreigners were trapped briefly in the building but were later allowed to leave. No hostages were held and the atmosphere around the shopping centre was calm, with many government troops relaxing or eating a dinner of rice and fish as the talks carried on. The rogue soldiers also accused Arroyo of planning to declare martial law ahead of next year’s scheduled elections. ‘‘We don’t intend to grab power,’’ they said in a statement. ‘‘We are asking the present regime to step down because it is no different from the previous regimes. For this, we are ready to lay down our lives.’’ Navy Lieutenant Antonio Trillanes, one of the mutiny leaders, said before the siege ended: ‘‘I think we have already accomplished a moral victory.’’ The 113,000-strong Philippine military has no official role in the democratic process but has traditionally played a major role in who holds power. Arroyo has faced coup rumours in the past over questions about her legitimacy as leader and graft in her government. Arroyo insists she will not run for office in 2004, although many see that as a ploy to gain popularity. (Reuters)
