9 more hostages released in S. Philippines

MANILA. December 11. KAZINFORM. Nine more hostages kidnapped by a group of disgruntled former government militia in the province of Agusan del Sur has been released Friday afternoon, local media reported; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.
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    Philippine TV network ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) reported that the nine hostages begged their kidnappers to release them as they needed to enroll their children to their schools. They were released around 1 p.m.

    Friday morning, after negotiations with government representatives, the group of one Ondo Perez has decided to release 3 of the 57 people they kidnapped Thursday.

    A total of 12 people have been released. Government officials are still negotiating with Perez to release the remaining 45 captives.

    Perez, a former militiaman, was to be arrested Thursday in connection with murder of the son and relatives of his rival Jun Tubay. Perez refused to surrender and instead he and his group took hostage of 75 people including school children - in the village of Sitio Maitum in Agusan del Sur.

    Negotiations resulted in the release of 18 others, including 17 school children; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.     

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