Ex-militiamen free 9 more hostages, want murder charges dropped before releasing 48 others

Filipino abductors free 9 more hostages, hold 48

MANILA, Philippines — Government-armed former militiamen have freed nine out of 57 hostages they seized in the remote southern Philippines, and are demanding that murder charges against them be dropped before releasing the other captives.

Government negotiator Josefina Bajade says the released villagers include eight women and a man. Hours after Thursday’s kidnapping, Bajade pursuaded the gunmen to free the 17 schoolchildren and a woman among more than 70 people they initially held.

Police say they were trying to arrest two brothers among the gunmen on murder charges. One of the brothers, Joebert Perez, told reporters Friday the charges are fabricated and blamed a rival clan for the killings, demanding that police disarm the rival clan before the rest of the hostages are released.