Cotabato City, Philippines  - At least 10 Muslim secessionist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a regional army spokesman said Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce said 22 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels and two soldiers were also wounded in the fighting late Sunday in Mamasapano town in Maguindanao province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

Ponce said hundreds of residents in the area have fled their homes for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

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

The military claimed killing nearly 100 guerrillas in the clashes.

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