Troops and armoured vehicles have been sent to the city's financial district where Friday's rally is to take place.

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.

Organisers of the rally say they expect several thousand people to attend.

The troops would "ensure that the socio-economic and political activities ... will continue to be unhampered", a statement from the military said.

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 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.

(BBC)

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