Manila  - Four people were killed when an argument over the cutting of trees turned violent in the southern Philippines, a police report said Sunday.

Three people were also wounded when two warring groups fought with guns and machetes in Bislig City in the southern province of Surigao del Sur on Friday, the police report said.

The violence erupted when local officials of San Jose village stopped members of a local religious group from cutting trees along a national road.

The religious group's members protested, triggering an argument that deteriorated into a shooting and hacking rampage by the two sides, the police report said.

San Jose village Captain Bebiano Sumaganday, two of his men and a member of the religious group were killed in the fighting. (dpa)