Manila, Philippines ? Renegade troops who seized a Manila shopping and apartment complex demanding the government resign ended a 19-hour standoff late Sunday and returned to barracks without a shot fired.

As President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced the crisis was over in a televised address, retreating mutineers defused the explosives they had rigged up inside the financial district’s glass-and-stone Glorietta center.

“This is a triumph for democracy. May God bless the Philippines,” the smiling and visibly relieved president said as aides with her at the presidential palace applauded.

She said that 296 soldiers, including 70 officers, were involved and that all would face prosecution based on “the articles of war.”

Early today, police arrested a key aide of disgraced former President Joseph Estrada for his alleged involvement in the mutiny and escorted him into a news conference in a wealthy Manila suburb.

Police said Ramon Cardenas, a member of Estrada’s Cabinet, owned a house near Manila where officers found assault rifles, ammunition and red arm bands similar to those used by the mutinous soldiers.

Cardenas was Estrada’s deputy executive secretary during his presidency, which ended in January 2001 when massive street protests toppled him from power over alleged corruption.

Estrada is now standing trial, and his lawyers earlier denied he was involved in Sunday’s uprising.

Generals loyal to Arroyo had sent hundreds of troops to surround the besieged complex, home to wealthy Filipinos, foreign businesspeople and diplomats.

Mutinous soldiers defuse explosives as they agree to drive back to barracks after taking over an upscale apartment and shopping complex at Manila's financial district of Makati, Philippines. The troops ended a 19-hour standoff late Sunday and returned to barracks without a shot fired.

The surrender by nearly 300 renegade forces followed negotiations between their leaders and top government officials — and repeated threats from Arroyo to crush the rebellion with armor and sharpshooters.

The mutineers, wearing camouflage and red arm bands emblazoned with white sun rays, carried rifles as they were trucked away to a nearby army base, where they were disarmed. They were then returned to their home barracks and kept under military guard.

Some emerged from the standoff saying they were happy it was over. “We have gotten across our message clear to the whole nation and maybe to the whole world,” said marine Capt. Nicanor Paeldon.