The Philippines? security forces pledged support to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday as thousands called for her resignation in rallies in Manila and other cities over a corruption scandal.

The heads of the military and police locked arms in a ?unity march? with several thousand police officers to end coup rumours, circulating in the capital via mobile phone text message. ?We are here to say that these reports and text messages are untrue, that they are completely false, since we in the police and the military are solid, united behind the government,? police chief Avelino Razon said. Allegations of $130 million worth of kickbacks in a $329 million government telecoms deal with China?s ZTE Corporation have revived calls for Arroyo, who has already survived three impeachment bids and at least three coup plots, to step down.

The former economist has vowed to see out her final term, which ends in 2010, and political analysts say she will likely do so because the powerful Catholic Church has not come out directly against her and she enjoys the support of the military and the lower house of Congress.

Thousands of people demonstrated in different areas of Manila yesterday, which was the anniversary of the overthrow of dictator Ferdinand Marcos in a ?people power? revolt in 1986.

Police said around 4,500 people attended rallies in the capital while organisers put the figure at up to 6,000.