Philippines lifts martial law in 'massacre' province

[ccharles000]

Philippines President Gloria Arroyo has lifted martial law in a southern province where 57 people were killed in political violence, aides have said.

Martial law was imposed in Maguindanao a week ago to quell what the government said was a rebellion by the Ampatuan clan, blamed by police for the deaths.

Members of a rival clan and journalists were among those killed on 23 November.

Separately, gunmen holding dozens of people hostage in the southern Philippines have agreed to free them.

A government spokesman said the gunmen had decided to surrender after the state said it would consider some of their demands, and would release the hostages at 0700 on Sunday (2300 GMT on Saturday).

The kidnappers, who belong to a gang of former government-armed militia, seized 75 people from a school on Thursday. More than a third have already been released.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8409366.stm