The soldiers came down from a high-rise luxury serviced apartment at the rebel-occupied Ayala Center in mid-afternoon and walked out into the rain toward a parking lot.

They turned themselves in less than two hours before the end of a 5:00 pm (0900 GMT) ultimatum announced by President Gloria Arroyo, who threatened an attack.

"They have returned to the fold of the law," said Major General Emmanuel Teodosio, the ground commander of government troops that surrounded the mutineers at the Ayala Center.

"There are many of them, more than 50," he told reporters.

"They have abandoned their intention to hole up at the Makati commercial center," Teodosio said.

"I'm happy about this development. I hope the others will also see the light."

He said it appeared the identified leaders of the mutiny were not among those who surrendered.

Defense Secretary Angelo Ramos earlier said about 200 soldiers were involved in the mutiny.

WAR.WIRE