Manila, July 27: Almost 300 mutinous troops who stormed a downtown shopping and apartment complex today demanding the government resign ended their standoff and returned to barracks without a shot fired. Booby trap explosives were being defused in the capital`s Makati financial district as president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced they had surrendered peacefully and would face investigation according to “the articles of war.``

Five officers, all captains and lieutenants, regarded as ringleaders “will face the full consequence of what they have done.``

“The crisis in Makati is over,`` a visibly relieved and smiling arroyo said in a nationally televised address. Senior aides at the presidential palace clapped.
Arroyo had set two deadlines earlier 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.

Arroyo said that 296 soldiers, including 70 officers, “are standing down and returning to barracks.`` Hours earlier, the President declared a “state of rebellion`` giving authorities emergency powers to make arrests without warrants, sent tanks to surround the beseiged complex and demanded that mutineers give up or face possible attack.

Bureau Report