PROSPERIDAD, Philippines, December 11, 2009 (AFP) - Tribal gunmen on Friday released 10 of 57 hostages being held in a mountainous southern Philippine area, the government's chief negotiator with the kidnappers told AFP.

"I have with me right now, nine women and one boy. There are still 47 hostages inside," negotiator Josefina Bajade said by telephone as she left the gunmen's lair in the outskirts of Prosperidad town on Mindanao island.