abs-cbn live streaming-12 hostages in Agusan del Sur kidnap drama freed

12 hostages in Agusan del Sur kidnap drama freed

PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur–All 12 remaining hostages have been freed when their captors abandoned them during a raid by authorities on Wednesday dawn.

Police Senior Superintendent Fajurra, spokesperson of the crisis management team, confirmed the freedom of the hostages, five days after they were taken by tribal gunmen in the hinterland village of La Purisima.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo also confirmed the release of the hostages in a radio interview.

Alan Perez, who led the gunmen, was demanding the release of his brother Ondo, who is jailed while facing kidnapping charges for doing a similar act in 2009.

Initial reports, however, said all the gunmen escaped.