**Tribesmen have freed more than 40 hostages held for three days in the southern Philippines province of Mindanao, government officials say.**The kidnappers, from the Manobo tribe, agreed the release after negotiators said they would not be arrested and could be tried by a tribal court.
The men belong to a gang of former government-armed militia.
The 47 hostages were among 75 people seized from a school on Thursday. The others had already been released.
As part of the deal, the kidnappers’ leader also asked the authorities to disarm rivals with whom he had been feuding.
Provincial officials said the dispute had been referred to a council of tribal elders.
Santiago Cane, vice governor of Agusan del Sur province, told reporters the release deal had come after negotiators signed an agreement not to arrest the kidnappers over past murder charges relating to the feud.
The freed hostages have been taken to hospital for a health check.