ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Area Police Command-Western Mindanao reported that four individuals were killed while one was wounded in a shooting incident in Basilan province shortly before dawn Tuesday.

Area Police Command-Western Mindanao operations chief Col. Richard Verceles revealed that the victims were in deep slumber when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them around 3:30 a.m. in Barangay Baas, Lamitan City.

Verceles said only two of the four fatalities were identified that included Gappal Mustapa Pagi and a minor.

The two unidentified fatalities were residents of Barangay Bohe Pahuh, Ungkaya Pukan, Basilan.

The wounded, on the other hand, was identified as Muafiz Tamudjul, also of Bohe Pahuh, Ungkaya Pukan, who was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Verceles said the victims had just attended a wedding ceremony of a relative late Monday and were sleeping on a mini-stage when the attackers, armed with M16 rifles, arrived and shot them.

Recovered from the crime scene were an M16 rifle and 16 empty shells of the same caliber.