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On Saturday, an armed tribal group in the southern Philippines took 14 people hostage... demanding a plot of land be given to them... as well as the release of its leaders who have been in jail for about two years. Well now the group says it's releasing two hostages, both kids in school. Here's more.
An armed tribal group holding 14 hostages in the southern Philippines since Friday agreed to release two of its captives.
In return for food and water, the captors promised to release two school children.
Local reports say the hostage-takers agreed to the release after soldiers withdrew several feet away from the group's encampment.
On Saturday, authorities temporarily released the tribal leader Ondo Perez to take part in negotiations and speed up the release of the 12 other captives.
The hostage-takers were reportedly demanding the release of their comrades and a tribal leader who were imprisoned in 2009.
The group also wants the government to recognize their clan's claim over an area of land as part of their ancestral domain.
The city mayor has stressed that negotiators had no authority to swap the hostages with the imprisoned gunmen.
Negotiations almost broke down on Saturday morning when the group threatened to kill their hostages after hearing news reports of authorities preparing to attack.
Local police are still on high alert in the area as negotiations continue.
