This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7246157.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Security tight for Manila rally Protesters call on Arroyo to quit
(about 4 hours later)
Security is tight in the Philippine capital, Manila, ahead of a protest rally set to demand the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo. Thousands of protesters have taken part in a rally in the Philippine capital, Manila, to demand the resignation of President Gloria Arroyo.
Troops and armoured vehicles have been sent to the city's financial district where Friday's rally is to take place. Security was tight for the rally in the Makati financial district, with troops and armoured vehicles on stand by.
The protesters want Ms Arroyo to step down over claims her husband and an ally sought kickbacks linked to a government deal with a Chinese firm.The protesters want Ms Arroyo to step down over claims her husband and an ally sought kickbacks linked to a government deal with a Chinese firm.
Both men deny the allegations and the deal has been cancelled.Both men deny the allegations and the deal has been cancelled.
Organisers of the rally say they expect several thousand people to attend. In Makati, crowds of marchers carried banners urging the president to resign, despite warnings from the military of possible trouble at the rally.
The troops would "ensure that the socio-economic and political activities ... will continue to be unhampered", a statement from the military said. On Thursday, army chiefs said communist rebels could try to infiltrate the crowd - a warning opposition leaders dismissed as justification for increased security.
On Thursday, the military said that communist rebels could try to infiltrate the rally - a warning opposition leaders dismissed as justification for the increased security. The military also said on Thursday that it had uncovered details of a plot by al-Qaeda-linked militants to assassinate Ms Arroyo, but said this did not appear to be related to the rally.
The military also said on Thursday that it had uncovered details of a plot by Al-Qaeda-linked militants to assassinate Ms Arroyo, but said this did not appear to be related to the rally. Investigation
The corruption row - relating to a multi-million dollar deal for a government broadband network - has been rumbling on for several months.The corruption row - relating to a multi-million dollar deal for a government broadband network - has been rumbling on for several months.
Ms Arroyo cancelled the deal because of the corruption allegations, which are now being investigated by the Senate.Ms Arroyo cancelled the deal because of the corruption allegations, which are now being investigated by the Senate.
Speaking earlier in the day to business leaders, the president promised a "thorough and transparent" probe.
"We do not want to tolerate corruption," she said.
"There is no room in the development of our country for wasting money on corruption when so much remains to be done to invest in the nation."