Police said three security personnel were killed Monday in the southern Philippines when gunmen opened fire on a polling station as millions gathered to vote for the new president.
The shooting came after the start of voting in the municipality of Bulwan on the island of Mindanao, where armed groups of communists and Islamist rebels operate.
Former mayor Ibrahim Mangudadatu said those at the polling station’s school ran for cover when shooting started.
Roldan Kontung, a spokesman for Maguindanao provincial police, said a fourth guard was injured in the attack.
The attack came after an explosion late Sunday night at a polling station in Datu Onsai, also on the island of Mindanao, left nine people injured.
Some 67 million Filipino voters began casting their ballots on Monday to elect the country’s new president, who is considered the son of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos as the most likely candidate to win and restore his family to power.
The election includes the vice president, representatives, half of the senators, 81 governors, and other elected officials.
