Nonetheless, he said Philippine National Police chief Raul Bacalzo is now on his way to the area to ensure that protocols during a crisis situation are followed.
"What I got last night, there were two hostages ostensibly freed. The local CMC is on top of the situation. General Bacalzo and couple of other officers are on their way to Agusan to check on the situation, not to take over but rather just to make sure that every item on the CMC is being implemented and followed," Aquino told reporters on the sidelines of the oath-taking of government officials.
The protocols have been drafted as a result of the botched hostage negotiations in Manila last August 23. One of the findings then was the lack of delineation of the jobs of a local CMC.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Eduardo Oban said negotiations are ongoing to secure the freedom of the remaining hostages.
"Still ongoing ang crisis management committee. The battalion commander of our infantry battalion there is part of the committee. As of now, dalawa pa lang din ang na-re-release,” he said.
Earlier, local CMC spokesman Supt. Nestor Fajura said there is no need yet to bring in the help of the national government to control the situation.
He said even the media, who have been reprimanded during the August 23 incident, are cooperating.
Agusan hostage crisis: 12-year-old boy freed
MANILA, Philippines - Armed tribesmen released a sick 12-year-old boy, one of 13 people held hostage in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur, officials said on Monday.
ABS-CBN News CARAGA reported that Marvin Jay Corvera, who was nursing a fever, was released late Monday. With the release of the boy, 12 people, including a ten-year-old, remained with the hostage-takers.
Negotiations are still ongoing to help free the hostages, with priority being placed on the remaining child.
Corvera is currently undergoing treatment and stress debriefing.
Earlier on Monday, the local crisis management committee (CMC) assigned a new negotiator to talk to members of the Perez group which was still holding 13 people hostage in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Prosperidad Mayor Albin Magdamit said the group's leader, Ondo Perez, failed to convince his people to surrender and release the hostages. He said the new negotiator is the father of one of the hostage-takers.
He said he also ordered Perez be returned to jail after the talks went sour.
"We are expecting him to negotiate pero iba yung nangyari. Ginawan namin ng paraan for him to have temporary custody para makipag-usap sa hostage taker pero di umubra, pinabalik na lang namin sa bilanguan," he said.
Magdamit confirmed communication with the kidnap group is difficult because of their location.
He said Philippine National Police chief Raul Bacalzo has encouraged them to continue negotiating with the kidnappers and exhaust peaceful ways to resolve the situation.
Magdamit, however, was unsure when the crisis will end.
"Mahirap isagot. I can't give timeline, di natin alam isip ng hostage-taker. We are embarking on this second negotiator para may development sa negotiation," he said.
A group of tribal gunmen seized 13 teachers and two elementary students after a graduation ceremony in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Friday afternoon. Two teachers were later temporarily released.
The group is demanding the release of Ondo Perez and 3 other tribesmen, who are being held at the Agusan del Sur provincial jail on charges of kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms in connection with the December 2009 hostage-taking of 47 villagers. With reports from May Diez, ABS-CBN News Caraga
ABS-CBN News CARAGA reported that Marvin Jay Corvera, who was nursing a fever, was released late Monday. With the release of the boy, 12 people, including a ten-year-old, remained with the hostage-takers.
Negotiations are still ongoing to help free the hostages, with priority being placed on the remaining child.
Corvera is currently undergoing treatment and stress debriefing.
Earlier on Monday, the local crisis management committee (CMC) assigned a new negotiator to talk to members of the Perez group which was still holding 13 people hostage in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
Prosperidad Mayor Albin Magdamit said the group's leader, Ondo Perez, failed to convince his people to surrender and release the hostages. He said the new negotiator is the father of one of the hostage-takers.
He said he also ordered Perez be returned to jail after the talks went sour.
"We are expecting him to negotiate pero iba yung nangyari. Ginawan namin ng paraan for him to have temporary custody para makipag-usap sa hostage taker pero di umubra, pinabalik na lang namin sa bilanguan," he said.
Magdamit confirmed communication with the kidnap group is difficult because of their location.
He said Philippine National Police chief Raul Bacalzo has encouraged them to continue negotiating with the kidnappers and exhaust peaceful ways to resolve the situation.
Magdamit, however, was unsure when the crisis will end.
"Mahirap isagot. I can't give timeline, di natin alam isip ng hostage-taker. We are embarking on this second negotiator para may development sa negotiation," he said.
A group of tribal gunmen seized 13 teachers and two elementary students after a graduation ceremony in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur Friday afternoon. Two teachers were later temporarily released.
The group is demanding the release of Ondo Perez and 3 other tribesmen, who are being held at the Agusan del Sur provincial jail on charges of kidnapping and illegal possession of firearms in connection with the December 2009 hostage-taking of 47 villagers. With reports from May Diez, ABS-CBN News Caraga
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