MANILA, Philippines - Police killed a suspected hired gun in an encounter in Cabuyao town in Laguna province, before dawn Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Manolito Labador, Laguna provincial police chief, identified the slain suspect as Romeo Poveda, an alleged member of a gun-for-hire syndicate operating in Laguna and nearby provinces.

Labador said Poveda and an unidentified companion were accosted by patrolling policemen in Barangay Gulod, NIA Road when they fired at the officers.

"Biglang pinaputukan ang tropa kaya tinamaan ang isang NGO (non-government organization) member," the provincial police commander told ABS-CBN News.

Labador said Poveda was killed in the brief exchange of gunfire while his companion escaped on a motorcycle.

He said the slain suspect and his companion were involved in the killing of a homeowners' association president Teodoro Batallones in Cabuyao town recently.

Chief Superintendent Rolando Añonuevo, Calabarzon regional police chief, said Barangay Gulod is a suspected hiding place of hired guns based in the province.

Añonuevo said they are expecting more hired guns to come out as the May 10 elections nears. -- Report from Doland Castro, ABS-CBN News