Manila - Seven Muslim separatist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in a southern Philippine province, an army spokesman said Friday.

The firefight erupted when the guerrillas attacked a temporary base of army troops in Guindulungan town in Maguindano province, 960 kilometres south of Manila, late Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce said about 30 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels opened fire at the soldiers in the temporary base.

The troops repulsed the attack, killing seven guerrillas, he added.

Ponce said the military did not suffer any casualties.

Hostilities between the MILF and the military in Guindulungan flared earlier in the month when government troops launched an offensive against rebel camps in the town.

The fighting, which has also spread to the nearby town of Talayan, has resulted in the killing of more than 90 MILF rebels and the seizure of guerrilla camps in the province.

The MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern region of Mindanao. It has been waging its secessionist struggle since
1978. (dpa)