A Filipino devotee has been nailed to the cross for the 30th time in an Easter ritual — and offered his sacrifice for peace in Belgium and other countries targeted by Islamic extremists.

Flooding caused by some of the Philippines’ heaviest rain on record has seen more than half of its capital city, Manila, submerged in water.

Thousands have gathered in the Philippines to witness devotees nailed to crosses as they mark Good Friday by re-enacting Jesus Christ’s suffering.

Back-to-back typhoons left at least 55 people dead in the northern Philippines and rescuers scrambling to deliver food and water to hundreds of villagers stuck on rooftops for four days because of flooding.

Benigno Aquino III took his oath as the Philippines' president.

A CATHOLIC bishop urged Filipinos not to turn Holy Week into a “circus” with flagellation and crucifixion rites, while the health secretary said yesterday that those who join the rituals should get tetanus shots to avoid infection.

The commander of Filipino soldiers in Iraq returned home today ahead of his troops after the Philippines decided to withdraw them to meet a demand by Iraqi insurgents threatening to behead a Filipino hostage.

Supporters of a Filipino hostage in Iraq cheered Manila’s lifesaving decision to withdraw troops from the war-torn nation, but the move was slammed by Washington and its allies, who said the US-led coalition would suffer.