Military officers defied a deadline to surrender after storming out of their coup trial in the Philippines capital today, taking over a luxury hotel and demanding that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resign.

A congressman killed in a bomb blast outside the Philippine legislature was a former member of an al-Qaida-linked militant group who switched sides to support a US-backed offensive against them, police said today.

At least six people were killed and dozens of others injured when a powerful explosion rocked a crowded shopping centre in the capital of the Philippines today.

At least four people were killed and dozens of others injured when a powerful explosion rocked a crowded shopping centre in the capital of the Philippines today.

At least three people were killed and 10 others injured when a cooking gas tank exploded in a restaurant in the capital of the Philippines today, police said today.