3 people dead in Philippine court shooting

MANILA - A Canadian national shot dead two people and injured another in Tuesday's court hearing in Cebu city, Central Philippines, a local police official said.

The suspect, John Pope, was shot and killed by responding police while evading arrest, according to Supt. Clifford Gairanod, Cebu's provincial police spokesman.

The incident occurred around 8:10 am local time at a local court in the provincial capitol where Pope was being tried on a pending case of malicious mischief and grave threat filed by Dr. Rene Rafols.

Pope used a cal. 38 revolver he smuggled into the court in shooting the victims, according to police investigators.

Rafols and his lawyer, Joviane Achas were killed. Prosecutor Maria Teresa Casino was injured.

The court, police said, is very lenient on those who enter the court as they are not frisked by security personnel.

"Responding policemen shot the Canadian as he tried to escape," Gairanod said.