MANILA, July 27: A mutiny by Philippines soldiers ended peacefully late on Sunday after nearly 300 troops holed up in a booby-trapped apartment complex called off their 20-hour rebellion against President Gloria Arroyo.

Ms Arroyo appeared on national television to declare the stand-off over, hailing the outcome of the Southeast Asian nation’s eighth military uprising in 17 years as a “triumph for democracy.”

Rebel troops had seized the Ayala Center in Manila’s bustling Makati financial district in the early hours of Sunday, accusing Ms Arroyo and Defence Secretary Angelo Reyes of corruption and demanding their resignations.

Pro-government soldiers backed by armoured cars encircled the complex as two separate deadlines ordering the rebels to surrender or face a military assault expired.

After lengthy talks with government negotiators, the rebel soldiers ended the siege around 10 pm (1400 GMT) and agreed to return to barracks to face military justice, officials said.

“The crisis in Makati is over,” a smiling Ms Arroyo said in her broadcast. “(The) 296 soldiers, including 70 officers, are standing down and returning to barracks.

“They will be investigated and their cases will be disposed of in accordance with the articles of war,” she said.

“They have not asked for and they shall not be given special treatment.”

President Arroyo thanked the leaders of Congress, the church, the people and the international community for supporting her government.

“I assure the world that this event does not in any way injure our national security and political stability... Once more, this has been a triumph for democracy,” Ms Arroyo said.

Officials said the officers who led the rebellion would face military justice.

The soldiers involved are “answerable to the articles of war,” which govern the conduct of men in uniform, retired former military chief Roy Cimatu told reporters as he announced the results of several hours of talks.

Armed forces chief of staff General Narciso Abaya said the rebels were now “being bussed” toward the Fort Bonifacio army headquarters in southern Manila. “That’s where they’re going to stay overnight, then tomorrow they will go back to their barracks,” Abaya said.

The rebels had seized the center early on Sunday and wired the complex with explosives after President Arroyo publicly accused them of plotting a coup on Saturday.—AFP