MANILA - Philippine police on Wednesday named a political ally of President Gloria Arroyo as the prime suspect in an election-linked massacre of 46 people.

"According to the initial reports, those who were abducted and murdered at Saniag were initially stopped by a group led by the mayor of Datu Unsay," national police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said.

The mayor of Datu Unsay is Andal Ampatuan Jnr, a member of Arroyo's ruling Lakas Kampi CMD coalition and son of an extremely powerful regional politician who has ensured local support for the president in previous elections.