Philippine typhoon latest: Aquino criticises local officials

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has criticised authorities in some areas for not being fully prepared for the devastation caused by Typhoon Haiyan.

During a visit to the coastal town of Guiuan, he praised local officials for carrying out a proper evacuation, but said it was in contrast to other towns.

Mr Aquino has been criticised for his own government's response.

Meanwhile survivors have attended church services for victims of Hayan, which killed at least 3,974 people.

A further 1,186 are missing, according to the latest official count.

In many places, including the mostly flattened city of Tacloban in Leyte province, Masses were held in half-destroyed and flooded churches.

The international aid effort is starting to have a major impact, with Britain's HMS Daring warship joining the huge relief operation.

The typhoon - which had some of the strongest winds ever recorded on land - also left about 500,000 people homeless.

Guiuan, in Samar province, was the first town hit by the typhoon as it came ashore on 8 November. Mr Aquino said the evacuation ordered by the mayor had limited deaths there to fewer than 100.

But he suggested officials in other places had not been so well prepared.

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