Manila - At least 11 people were killed Friday in a clash between government troops and communist guerrillas in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said.

Major Armand Rico said the three soldiers were killed and 14 more were wounded when they raided a guerrilla camp in Lingig town in Surigao del Sur province, 825 kilometres south of Manila.

Rico said eight communist guerrillas were killed in the fighting.

He said the soldiers were able to seize the guerrilla camp after three hours of fighting.

Rico said the three soldiers died after stepping on landmines planted by the fleeing rebels. More troops have been dispatched to the area to pursue the guerrillas.

Communist rebels have been fighting the government since the late 1960s, making the movement one of the longest-running leftist insurgencies in Asia. (dpa)