ZAMBOANGA CITY -- Four persons were killed while one was wounded after they were riddled with bullets hours after attending a wedding in Barangay Baas, Lamitan City, Basilan at dawn on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
A report from the Lamitan police station said the victims were sleeping on a makeshift stage at a wedding site at 3:30 a.m. when unidentified armed men sprayed them with bullets using an M-16 rifle.
Gappal Mustapa Pagi and Ardayan Dammang Amoto, 16, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died on the spot.
The two other fatalities from Ungkaya Pukan are still unidentified.
Muafiz Tamudjul, 18, of Barangay Bohe Pahu Ungkaya Pukan, was wounded and brought to the Lamitan City District Hospital.
Police recovered 16 spent shells at the crime scene. An M16 rifle with a tampered serial number with a loaded chamber was also found among the victims.
Police said the victims were not engaged in any conflict prior to and during the incident, but are investigating why they have an M16 rifle in their possession.
Police are waiting for family members to complete their identification of the victims.