Philippine mayor, nine bodyguards killed in police shoot-out

A Filipino police investigator inspects a gun used at a crime scene after a police operation against illegal drugs in Novaliches, Philippines. - EPA Filepic

Samsudin Dimaukom, the mayor of the southern town of Saudi Ampatuan, was one of more than 150 local government officials, judges and police identified by Duterte earlier this year as being involved in the illegal drug trade.

The deadly crime war has claimed more than 3,800 lives and drawn criticism from the United States, the United Nations and international rights groups who have accused police of summarily executing suspects.