Manila, Jan. 21 -- A former local official in Kalinga province who was wanted for a string of serious offenses was killed in a predawn shootout with the police on Wednesday.

Corey Dickpus, former vice mayor of Lubuagan town, was killed when he engaged police officers in a shootout that lasted 30 minutes, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PNP said Dickpus was initially wounded and was brought to the Kalinga District Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

A police officer was wounded in the firefight and is now in stable condition, the PNP added.

"I commend all the personnel who took part in the planning and the operation to arrest this fugitive," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said, a...