Arroyo defies mounting calls to quit

But a spokesman for Arroyo, Ricardo Saludo, said it was "not the president's position to resign" as she was not under investigation and no charges had been proved.

Voicing support for Arroyo were Defence Secretary Avelino Cruz, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales, Economic Planning Secretary Romulo Neri and 13 other members of the cabinet.

The military and police were on the highest level of alert in Manila. General Efren Abu, the military's chief of staff, ordered troops not to intervene in the deepening political crisis at a hastily called m%eting of all senior commanders.

Arroyo, due to serve until 2010, is facing the toughest test of her four years as leader over allegations that she tried to influence the vote-count in last year's presidential election and that family members took payoffs from illegal gambling.