Manila - Two South Korean nationals were killed in an armed robbery in the Philippines on Monday while two suspects were killed in a shootout with responding police officers.

The South Koreans - Rho Kwang Hyun, 40, and Shin Young Hyun, 51 - were driving in Talisay town in Batangas province, 105 kilometres south of Manila, when a car blocked their path.

Four gunmen from the car then declared a robbery and shot the South Koreans dead after divesting them of their valuables, according to police officer Erwin Ordinario.

Responding police officers chased the suspects, triggering a gunfight.

Two of the suspects were killed, while a third gunmen was wounded and confined in hospital. The fourth suspect was able to escape with the loot, Ordinario said.

Police set up checkpoints and roadblocks in a bid to track down the fourth gunman, he added. (dpa)