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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Philippines hostages 'released' | Philippines hostages 'released' |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Armed bandits have released dozens of students and teachers they held hostage for several hours in the southern Philippines, military officials say. | Armed bandits have released dozens of students and teachers they held hostage for several hours in the southern Philippines, military officials say. |
| At least 65 people were seized at a village primary school near Prosperidad on the east coast of Mindanao island. | At least 65 people were seized at a village primary school near Prosperidad on the east coast of Mindanao island. |
| Military spokesman Lt Col Romeo Brawner later told the BBC all the hostages had been freed, following a stand-off. | Military spokesman Lt Col Romeo Brawner later told the BBC all the hostages had been freed, following a stand-off. |
| A BBC correspondent says there is no sign it was linked to the killing of 57 people on Mindanao last month. | A BBC correspondent says there is no sign it was linked to the killing of 57 people on Mindanao last month. |
| The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Bangkok says there is much lawlessness in the southern Philippines. | The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Bangkok says there is much lawlessness in the southern Philippines. |
| 'Demands' | 'Demands' |
| About 15 gunmen - described by officials as members of a criminal gang - took part in Thursday's abductions. | About 15 gunmen - described by officials as members of a criminal gang - took part in Thursday's abductions. |
| Lt Col Brawner told the BBC's World Today programme: "Initially they released a first group of about 18 - 17 children and one adult - and just recently they have released every hostage already." | Lt Col Brawner told the BBC's World Today programme: "Initially they released a first group of about 18 - 17 children and one adult - and just recently they have released every hostage already." |
| Police chief Marco Archinue told AFP news agency the men had earlier demanded the dropping of charges against them, including murder and robbery. | Police chief Marco Archinue told AFP news agency the men had earlier demanded the dropping of charges against them, including murder and robbery. |
| The incident took place in an area where communist rebels are known to operate, although it is not thought to be related to that four-decades long insurgency. | The incident took place in an area where communist rebels are known to operate, although it is not thought to be related to that four-decades long insurgency. |
| Nor are the abductions believed to be linked to a Muslim separatist rebellion elsewhere on Mindanao; those insurgents are in peace talks with the government. | |
| Mindanao is an extremely volatile part of the archipelago. | Mindanao is an extremely volatile part of the archipelago. |
| Martial law was imposed on other side of the island in Maguindanao province last weekend after a political massacre there left 57 people dead. | Martial law was imposed on other side of the island in Maguindanao province last weekend after a political massacre there left 57 people dead. |
| Are you in the area? Send us your comments. | Are you in the area? Send us your comments. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |