Ex-militiamen free 9 hostages in Philippines, want murder charges dropped

Manila: 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 persuaded 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 them before the rest of the hostages are released.