(UPDATE) 39 hostages seized by leftist rebels released

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - All the 39 hostages taken by New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Composela Valley last Saturday have been released, the military announced today.

The last three hostages were freed on Monday afternoon, while the 36 others, including four children, were released yesterday, said Ernest Carolina, spokesman of the Army's 10th Infantry Division.

The victims were small-scale gold miners whom the rebels snatched as human shields at gunpoint against further operations launched by some 800 government soldiers at the mining community of Mahayahay in Maragusan town, Compostela Valley province.

"Those who were released said they were asked to carry things and wounded NPA members," said Carolina.

Ramon Zagala, public affairs office chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, condemned the NPA for the abduction, which he described as a "desperate move."

"By taking civilians as human shields, the NPA has endangered the lives of innocent people," said Zagala.