An AFP reporter on the scene said the military men, wearing red armbands, set up explosive booby traps outside department stores, hotels and condominiums in the Ayala Center shopping mall in Manila's Makati financial district.

The heavily-armed men, dressed in military fatigues, warned off passers-by but refused to answer questions.

Makati police confirmed that the unauthorized presence of the military men in the shopping mall but would not give further details.

Radio reports said the armed men had disarmed the sprawling shopping mall's security guards after the guards managed to close the steel shutters of one department store facing areas where explosives had been set.

One of the men, identified as Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes was heard yelling "we mean no harm, we mean no harm," as his men set up the explosives.

"This government is pushing us to do this," he yelled.

Another soldier, who was setting up a booby trap, warned reporters to stay away.

There was no sign that a nearby condominium and a hotel in the shopping mall were being evacuated.

President Gloria Arroyo on Saturday said their had been a military plot to overthrow her government and ordered a hunt for up to 70 officers and men involved in the revolt.

Authorities have issued orders to arrest about 20 junior officers, many of them said to have led elite units and to be experts on explosives.

The officers, graduates of the elite Philippine Military Academy (PMA) and aged up to 32, were backed by "between 40-50" fully armed men.

Trillanes was among 10 of the officers who were identified as being part of the plot.

Military and police personnel had earlier secured key installations, including the Congress building, military camps and television stations.

WAR.WIRE