The Philippine armed forces went on alert today to protect the capital Manila and the presidential palace from any disturbances, a military spokesman said.
The military declared the alert as tens of thousands of supporters of detained former president Joseph Estrada massed for the fifth successive day at a Manila religious shrine, about 15 kilometres from the Malacanang presidential palace, demanding the return of their ousted idol to power.
"The whole AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) is on alert. We can call on any military unit that is needed to defend Metro Manila from any civil disturbance," military spokesman General Edilberto Adan said on local radio.
General Adan said military and police forces were on standby to protect vital facilities (and) the seat of government, Malacanang.
Earlier today, senior armed forces generals denied newspaper reports that opposition politicians and some military officers were hatching a coup to remove President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and install a civilian-military junta to power.
"We are on super-alert," presidential spokesman Mr Rigoberto Tiglao said.