Philippine Militia Hostage Crisis Negotiations Resume 57 held by gunmen still

Local officials in Agusan province have resumed negotiations as of 8am in the ongoing hostage crisis in a forested rural village after a small band of rogue militia fighters took over 125 hostage in remote Agusan province on Mindanao Island.
Authorities say 57 people remain in the custody of the 19 gunmen – all heavilly armed former members of a local village para-military militia that authorities allege became a robbery and holdup gang. The hostage crisis stemmed from a warrent of arrest versus the groups leader Ondo Perez, and his brother who are alleged to have killed six people in a clash witha rival tribes local militia. ‘
Perez claims they were attacked and defended themselves from the rival group. His group took the hostages in an effort to blackmail government into dropping the six murder chages filed versus them.
Elite Police commando units from the Philippine National Police Special Action Force or SAF have been deployed in the area along with regular police units. Local leaders say they hope the SAS and US Special forces trained unit will not be needed. Authorities say they have faith in negotiations and a peaceful end to the crisis is hoped for in the rural feud that has captured global attention.