QUITO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Two police officers were killed Friday in an armed attack perpetrated by criminals in the Ecuadorian coastal province of Guayas, one of the most violent in the country, police said.

The victims were a police major, who served as district police chief in Samborondon canton, and a corporal, who had 13 years of service, said the police.

"Specialized agents are working to clarify the circumstances and capture the perpetrators of these murders," tweeted the police, while condemning the attack and expressing condolences to the families of the victims.

According to the preliminary police report, three individuals on a motorcycle shot at the uniformed officers and stole their service weapons.

This week the government decreed a state of emergency in three areas of the country due to increased violence, prison riots and dozens of bomb attacks, with over 20 police officers killed between 2022 and so far in 2023.