Security forces were on high alert across the Philippines on Monday as millions of people voted for village leaders following months of deadly poll-related violence.

In the latest incident two people were killed outside a polling station on the restive island of Mindanao, police said as voting got underway.

More than 336,000 council positions are up for grabs in the long-delayed nationwide vote, including the influential post of village captain.

While villages are the lowest-level government unit, the council posts are hotly contested because they are used by political parties to cultivate grassroots networks and build a support base for local and general elections.

More than 300,000 police officers and soldiers have been deployed to secure polling stations in over 42,000 villages.

In the capital Manila, voters waited in long lines to cast their ballots at schools being used as polling venues.

"This is important for the people… we need to be able to consult someone over our problems," said Rosemarie Garcia in the hardscrabble neighborhood of Tondo.

"We need somebody who is easily approachable to his or her constituents."

Elections are a traditionally volatile time in the Philippines, which has lax gun laws and a violent political culture.

Two people were killed and five others were wounded Monday outside a polling station in Maguindanao del Norte province on Mindanao, police said.

The incident happened during a confrontation between supporters of rival candidates for village captain, said Datu Odin Sinsuat municipality police chief Lieutenant-Colonel Esmail Madin.

Two schools to be used as polling stations in Maguindanao del Norte were also deliberately set on fire on Saturday, Commission on Elections chairman George Garcia told reporters Sunday.