Cop shot dead in Samar

MANILA, Philippines(Xinhua) - A police officer was killed and a village guard was wounded when four unidentified suspects shot them early this morning inside a school while they were manning the election equipment to be used on Monday's polls in Eastern Samar, police said.

Eastern Visayas Regional Police Office identified the casualties as Police Officer 1 Agerico Afable, who died on the spot, and Glecerio Gema, who was seriously wounded.

Another village guard, identified as Ronie Basana, was not hurt after he pretended to be dead.

The shooting incident transpired between 3:45 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. local time when the armed suspects suddenly appeared in the school, which was designated as a cluster voting area, and without any apparent reason, opened fire to the victims.

The suspects carted away Afable's 9-millimeter service pistol.

The Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines, which will be used on Monday's automated elections inside the classrooms were left untouched, the police said, adding that investigation has been ongoing on the incident.