"Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's 'Strong Republic' is fast crumbling from within," crowed a statement from the communists' political National Democratic Front (NDF).

About 200 military men seized a section of the Makati financial district early Sunday to demand the resignation of Arroyo and Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, who they accused of corruption and support for terrorism.

The NDF "is not surprised with these revelations. We are used to the (armed forces) and Philippine National Police committing terrorist actions and attributing them to the revolutionary forces to justify repression," the communist statement proclaimed.

"Ordinary soldiers and junior officers are used as cannon fodders" against the decades-old communist rebellion, "while generals and other high-ranking officials wallow in luxuries and kickbacks as well as profit from criminal activities such as illegal drugs trade and kidnapping."

The NDF urged its military New People's Army (NPA) "to intensify the struggle against the Arroyo-Reyes clique which is responsible for the crisis.

"It is time to put an end to this regime that has brought nothing but misery and oppression to our people."

Arroyo delayed an assault on the mutineers, who have defied two deadlines to surrender, because a government negotiator was locked in talks with the rebel leaders, even as the rebels remained holed up in central Manila buildings wired with explosives.

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