MANILA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Manila on Friday belied reports that one of its male staffers in Cotabato City has died after being shot by an unidentified gunman on Thursday.

    "Reports of the death of a UNICEF staffer in Cotabato is inaccurate," UNICEF said in a statement relayed to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

    UNICEF, however, confirmed that its staffer, whose identity was not disclosed, was shot in Mindanao.

    Reports earlier identified the UNICEF employee as Nestor Bulahan, who died of a lone gunshot wound in the abdomen.

    "He is in critical condition and is alive. We can not confirm his identity," UNICEF said, adding that the victim "was not on official duty when the incident happened."

    "The incident is believed to be personal," the UN agency said.