Manila: Philippine army troops and SWAT teams stormed the five-star Peninsula Hotel in Manila, which had been earlier seized by dissenting army personnel.
An armoured vehicle was brought in for cover, which rammed its way into the lobby of the hotel.
Tear gas was fired inside and rebel soldiers were warned to give themselves up.
The rebels numbered about 30 and were demanding the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo. They were led by Senator Antonio Trillanes and Brig Gen Danielo Lim.
Trillanes agreed to surrender and said that he was certain the his fellow officers would not stay quiet.
“For the safety of everyone, we're going out ,” Trillanes told reporters. “We cannot live with our conscience if some of you get hurt in the crossfire,” he said. ''We just did what has to be done. It is tantamount to treason if I don't do anything. If somebody lost here, it's the whole nation.”
“I am convinced that most of them (armed forces) sympathise with our cause,'' Trillanes continued. “That's enough for us now. Eventually it will be their turn to live up to their mandate as protectors of the people.''
His fellow dissenter Brig Gen Lim, issued a statement to the press and urged Arroyo to resign. He also asked the military to withdraw their support of her.
“Mrs Arroyo stole the presidency from (Joseph) Estrada, and later manipulated the results of 2004 elections,” Lim said, echoing allegations that have dogged the footsteps of the Philippine president ever since she won the 2004 elections.
The Philippine government has announced a curfew from midnight to 5 am in Manila and the surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Gloria Arroyo was quick to offer reassurances that the government is stable and the military loyal to her.
In a televised address, Arroyo said, “Again and again we have shown to the world the stability of the institutions of our democracy and the strength of this government,'' she said.
However, she made it clear that none shall be spared.
“Wrong and misguided deeds of the few do not speak for the people or the army and police,” Arroyo said, adding, ''the full force of the law will be meted out without any concession. Additional charges are being prepared to hold accountable those who committed new crimes.''
Trillanes’ parting shot to Arroyo: “Sooner or later, the time of reckoning will come.”
Two persons have been reported injured in the operation so far.
Arroyo succeeded President Joseph Estrada, after he was ousted in a ''people power'' revolt 2001, and since then, she has been drawing flak from her opponents who question the legitimacy of her rule.
With inputs from Associated Press
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