The mayor of a town in Maguindanao province included in the drug list of President Rodrigo Duterte and his nine companions died after they allegedly fought policemen in Makilala town, North Cotabato on Friday.

Police identified the slain local official as Mayor Samsudin Dimaukom of Datu Saudi Ampatuan municipality.

Superintendent Romeo Galgo, Police Regional Office 12 spokesperson, said a joint team from the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group and the regional police office were sent to Makilala after they received a report that Dimaukom's group will be transporting illegal drugs using Cotabato as a route.

Reports said Dimaukom and his men were on board a Toyota Land Cruiser and Super Grandia headed for Maguindanao.

Galgo, in a text message, said the alleged shootout transpired at 4:30 am along the National Highway in Barangay Old Bulatukan.

A firefight ensued when Dimaukom's group, allegedly armed with high-powered firearms, opened fire instead of yielding for an inspection.

"The suspects are heavily armed and fired upon the law enforcers which prompted the police to fire back," said Galgo.

Dimaukom and his nine companions died from multiple gunshot wounds. They were pronounced dead on arrival at the Makilala Specialist Hospital.

Police recovered one M-16 rifle, one shotgun, three caliber 45 pistols, one caliber 38 revolver and 13 sachets of shabu from the two vehicles. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS