Philippine authorities say gunmen have freed 12 hostages kidnapped by gunmen demanding the release of fellow tribesmen jailed for a similar abduction two years ago.
The officials say the hostages were freed unharmed Wednesday. Four of the hostages had already been let go.
The gunmen had abducted two children and 14 school officials and teachers Friday afternoon as a graduation ceremony was ending in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao island.
Government negotiators say the attackers were demanding police free Manobo tribal leader Ondo Perez and three other tribesmen. The four men had been jailed since a December 2009 incident in which several dozen villagers were taken hostage. Police say two of the leaders in Friday’s attack are relatives of Perez.
Police say Perez helped negotiators resolve the standoff.
Last August, Philippine authorities were widely criticized for the botched attempt to rescue hostages held on a bus in Manila. Eight Hong Kong tourists and the gunman, a policeman who had been fired, died in the incident.
