The traders, the regional police said, stayed for the night in Barangay Anatan in Asuncion town to buy lemons from farmers there. The victims were reportedly asleep when they were attacked.
Four of those killed were identified as Gerry Ballos, Martin Libon and a certain Totoy and Boyet.
The sixth trader, Genecasio Talisic Jr., of Mawab, Compostela Valley, sustained hack wounds and was brought to the Davao Regional Hospital in Apokon, Tagum City. — Edith Regalado