Manila, July 27: Philippine military mutineers agreed today to end a day-old mutiny by immediately marching back to barracks, government negotiator Roy Cimatu told reporters after last-ditch talks. An estimated 150 mutineers holed up in the Makati Financial district agreed to "peacefully end this siege and peacefully march to barracks", there to await the consequences of their actions, Cimatu added. A second deadline for Philippine rebel soldiers holed up in a Manila shopping complex to surrender has elapsed with no sign of change.

Earlier, President Gloria Arroyo declared a nationwide "state of rebellion" and told the soldiers they had until 1700 (0900 GMT) to surrender or face an all-out assault - but that deadline was subsequently pushed back two hours.
Bureau Report