CEBU CITY- (2ND UPDATE) Police shot dead an armed man who tried to enter the Archbishop's Palace Tuesday.

The man was running towards the gate and refused to stop when asked by a security personnel, a security guard said.

He was reportedly looking for Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma and was told that the Church leader was out of town.

The man then returned to his motorcycle and appearing "suspicious," prompted local security personnel to call the police.

Upon arrival, police asked the man to raise his hands but the latter refused and instead open fired, leading to a shootout.

Central Visayas Police Regional Office Director Debold Sinas said the man was probably deranged during the incident.

The Cebu Archdiocese meanwhile appealed for calm and urged its faithful to pray for peace.

“Let us not speculate and remain calm. Lastly, pray for peace,” Cebu Auxiliary Bishop Dennis Villarojo said.

Security will be tightened around the archbishop's residence while police are considering providing Palma with an escort.

The Church leader is set to arrive in Cebu on Tuesday night.

An investigation is underway, police said.