Alyosan city police chief Jennifer Amoton said the shooting happened just before 9 a.m. local time, when policemen executed a warrant to search a hideout that was believed to be hiding firearms and illegal drugs. He said a 33-year-old male police officer was killed and six others were injured in the clash, Xinhua news agency reported.

Amoton said the armed suspects opened fire on the law enforcers, leading to a 30-minute gunfight. The alleged leader of the criminal group and four of his associates were killed in the operation.

Amoton said police recovered a variety of firearms and explosives and illegal drugs.