Four people were shot dead at dawn on Tuesday after unidentified gunmen opened fire at sleeping people in the southern Philippines' Basilan province, police said.

Police said the shooting occurred shortly before 5:00 a.m. local time in Lamitan City. The victims, sleeping on a makeshift platform used to celebrate a wedding, died at the scene.

Another was reportedly wounded in the attack and recuperating at a local hospital, police added.

Police recovered a dozen of bullet shells and an M-16 assault rifle with live ammunition. They are investigating the attack's motive and the shooters' identities.

xinhua