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Philippines gunmen seize students Philippines gunmen seize students
(10 minutes later)
Armed men have abducted dozens of students and teachers in the southern Philippines, officials say. Armed men have abducted dozens of students and a teacher in the southern Philippines, officials say.
Officials said the men had seized at least 65 villagers in Agusan del Sur province on Mindanao island. A military spokesman said 65 people had been seized at a school 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. Officials are reportedly trying to negotiate the release of the hostages from up to 20 gunmen, who were described as "bandits".
It follows the declaration of martial law in another southern province, after the massacre of 57 people last month. There is no indication it is linked to unrest on the other side of Mindanao, where 57 people were killed 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. Thursday's kidnappings took place in an area where communist rebels are known to operate.
Army spokesman Maj Michelle Anayron told AFP news agency a "criminal gang" was behind the abductions. But it is not known if the incident near the town of Prosperidad on the eastern coast of Mindanao is related to the four-decades long insurgency.
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. Army spokesman Maj Michelle Anayron told AFP news agency a "criminal gang" was responsible.
Agusan del Sur Vice-Governor Santiago Cane told AP news agency 19 bandits fleeing the authorities had seized the residents to use as human shields.