COTABATO CITY — Authorities here on Tuesday reported that two candidates for barangay kagawad and a supporter were shot to death while installing campaign posters in Barangay Rosary Heights 12 on Monday night.

Cotabato City Police spokesperson Lt. Col. Carmelo Mungkas identified the fatalities as Nur-Moqtadin K.  Butucan, a candidate for village council in Barangay Rosary Heights 12; Alfar Singh Ayunan Pasawilan, a candidate for village councilman in Barangay Kalanganan 2; and supporter Faizal Abas, also of Barangay Kalanganan 2.

Meantime, two individuals identified as Saipul Sapalon and Fajeed Daud, both of Barangay Kalanganan 2 were injured in the shooting.

Initial investigation disclosed that the victims were putting up tarpaulins and other election materials in Barangay RH 12 when still unidentified gunmen peppered them with bullets around 9 p.m.

At least 12 persons have been invited for questioning at the city's Police Station 1 following the incident, according to Mungkas.

The police, backed by Philippine Marines, recovered an M16 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol and a 9mm handgun in the area.

"The situation is under control. Hopefully, no similar incident will take place in the coming days," Mungkas said.

 Meanwhile, Cotabato City Mayor Bruce Matabalao condemned the incident and suspended classes in at least four public schools near the crime scene.

"I also appeal for sobriety among the city residents," Matabalao said.

Monday night's shootout in this city is the 12th election-related incident recorded in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In other developments, at least 500 more police personnel were deployed in strategic areas of North Cotabato province for the maintenance of peace and order ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on 30 October.

Col. Harry Ramos, the North Cotabato Provincial Police director, officially turned over the augmentation force to the Commission on Elections during a simple ceremony on Monday afternoon.