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| Philippines gunmen seize students | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Armed men have abducted dozens of students and teachers in the southern Philippines, officials say. | |
| Officials said the men had seized at least 65 villagers in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao island. | Officials said the men had seized at least 65 villagers in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao island. |
| The vice-governor told AP news agency nearly 20 gunmen were involved and local officials were attempting to negotiate the hostages' release. | The vice-governor told AP news agency nearly 20 gunmen were involved and local officials were attempting to negotiate the hostages' release. |
| It follows the declaration of martial law in another southern province, after the massacre of 57 people last month. | |
| Thursday's kidnappings took place in an area where communist rebels are known to operate, but it is not known if the incident is linked to the four-decades long insurgency. | |
| Army spokesman Maj Michelle Anayron told AFP news agency a "criminal gang" was behind the abductions. | |
| Agusan del Sur Vice-Governor Santiago Cane told AP news agency 19 bandits fleeing the authorities had entered a village and seized the residents to use as human shields. |