Eyewitnesses and reports said the soldiers opened fire on the truck after it ignored a roadblock and entered the Ayala Center shopping mall in Manila's Makati financial district.

Radio reports said the soldiers took the driver of the delivery truck away but it was not immediately clear if anyone was hurt.

About 20 military men, wearing red armbands, had earlier set up explosive booby traps outside department stores, hotels and condominiums in the mall.

One of the leaders of the group, identified as Navy Lieutenant Senior Grade Antonio Trillanes, earlier called out: "We mean no harm to anyone," adding that "we are putting these (bombs) to defend ourselves."

"They are putting a death warrant on us," he said, adding, "they want to suppress what we know."

However refused to elaborate, saying this would come out in a statement to be issued later.

He said his men would evacuate people in the area but there was no sign that people were being moved from a nearby hotel or condominium.

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

Another soldier, apparently setting up a booby trap, told reporters, "get back. If this explodes, sorry for you."

Radio reports said the armed men had disarmed the sprawling shopping mall's security guards.

President Gloria Arroyo Saturday said there 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.

Security was beefed up at both the presidential palace with armed guards ringing the perimeter of the compound.

WAR.WIRE