MANILA (Philippines) - POLICE say an attacker has fatally shot a mayor at his home in the central Philippines.

Police say the attack on Mayor Carlos dela Cruz of Samar province's Matuguinao township happened while he and his cousin were talking in the living room of the mayor's house late Thursday. The attacker and two accomplices fired shots from outside the gate. They then lobbed a grenade and escaped on a single motorcycle.

Superintendent Ramil Ramirez says dela Cruz died in a hospital while his cousin survived.

He says the mayor's wife suspects political opponents may be behind the attack, but police are still investigating. -- AP