Around 1,000 troops guarded a Philippine court hearing today for 14 soldiers accused of a 2003 rebellion, the same officers who stormed out of proceedings last month and commandeered a hotel, calling for an anti-government uprising.

Troops stormed a five-star hotel in Manila today to remove dissident military officers who had walked out of their coup trial and demanded that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo resign.

Military officers involved in a coup in the Philippines said they would surrender to the army as tear gas was fired into the hotel.

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.

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.

Typhoon Xangsane unleashed fierce winds and rains as it slammed into the northern and central Philippines today, killing at least seven people and shutting down the capital amid widespread floods and damage, officials said.

Hundreds of troops who stormed a downtown shopping and apartment complex today demanding the government resign later ended a 19-hour stand-off and returned to barracks without a shot fired.

A HOMEMADE bomb exploded near a Roman Catholic church last night in the southern Philippine city of Zamboanga, killing one person and injuring 12, police said.