Update 10:15 Security forces in the Philippines discovered six more bodies Wednesday 25 November in the election-related killings in the south of the country, taking the total to 52 persons killed. President Gloria Macapagal declared a national day of mourning. The Philippines government has declared a national emergency in two southern provinces on the southern island of Mindanao after more than 40 people were abducted and massacred 23 November. The rivalry between two political families and factions is blamed for the killings in the turbulent, mostly Muslim, region of the country. Macapagal is under pressure because the alleged perpetrators were her political allies in the presidential election in 2004, which she won.

Links to other sites: New York Times, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Kidnapped Irish Catholic priest Michael Sinnott has been released unharmed in the southern Philippines island of Mindanao. The army commander in charge of the region, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Muhammad Dolorfino, said no ransom was paid, and praised the assistance of the armed separatist group Moro Islamist Liberation Front (MILF) in securing his release.

Sinnott disputed the theory that he had been kidnapped by MILF, saying he thought they were locals with separatist tendencies looking to make money. The Colomban missionary was taken from his house 11 October by four or five armed men, and said he was very well treated. CNN, GMANews