Regional police chief Elmer Beltejar said police were patrolling near the house of Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. in the central town of Albuera when they were fired upon by the mayor's bodyguards. The police fired back, killing six bodyguards, he said.

The clash came a day after Espinosa surrendered to national police chief Ronald dela Rosa. Authorities allege he has been protecting drug dealers, including his son Erwin, whom he urged to surrender.

Espinosa surrendered within a 24-hour deadline given to him by Duterte before a "shoot-on-sight order" would be issued against him and his son. Dela Rosa warned that the younger Espinosa "will die" if he elects to shoot it out with police. Read More