Cotabato City, Philippines - Six people, including an 8-year-old girl, were killed in an attack triggered by a land conflict in the southern Philippines, a provincial police chief said Friday.

Senior Superintendent Robert Kiunisala said three gunmen barged into the house of the victims Thursday in a village in Tupi town in South Cotabato province, 990 kilometres south of Manila.

The suspects then opened fire on the victims, who belonged to a local tribe, he said.

The victims died instantly from gunshot wounds.

"Their death has something to do with land conflict," Kiunisala said. "They [the victims] are claiming some parts of the land owned by the suspects."

Kiunisala said investigators have identified the suspects and police have launched manhunt operations. (dpa)