Hostage Ordeal Ends in Philippines

Twelve hostages, including a child, captured by tribal gunmen in the Philippines, were found by security forces on Wednesday, unharmed after their four-day ordeal.

The father of one of the captors who went to the gunmen's encampment to try to negotiate, was also found with them.

Looking tired but relieved, the former hostages appeared at a news conference at the home of local town mayor, Albin Magdamit.

They had been found abandoned on the outskirts of Prosperidad in the Southern Philippine island of Mindanao.

Mr. Magdamit had been negotiating for their release.

[Albin Magdamit, Prosperidad Town Mayor]:

"We are happy to announce that at 6 o'clock this morning, all of the 13 hostages have been recovered and are already safe with us. Our troops found the hostages abandoned by their captors at Sitio Balete, Barangay La Purisma, Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur."

Hundreds of soldiers and police officers had been scouring the mountains near the area.

The gunmen were demanding the release of a tribal leader and comrades detained in 2009 for mass kidnapping and murder.

Mr. Magdamit said the government did not give in to the tribal gang's main demand and said those responsible will be held accountable.