Manila - Four gunmen were killed in a pre-dawn shootout with police officers in the Philippine capital Manila, a police official said.

The men refused to stop their vehicle at a police checkpoint in the Manila suburban city of Quezon, triggering a chase, said Chief Superintendent Orlando Mabutas.

When the suspects' vehicle hit a wall, the gunmen alighted and shot it out with police officers, Mabutas said.

Three of the suspects died on the spot, while the fourth gunman was declared dead on arrival in hospital.

Mabutas said police were still determining the identities of the suspects and whether they belong to a criminal gang. (dpa)