Manila  - Communist rebels raided on Monday a provincial jail in the southern Philippines, seizing arms and communication equipment of jail guards, a military report said.

No one was hurt in the attack and the rebels did not take any prisoners, the report said.

About 70 heavily-armed guerrillas clad in military uniforms swooped down on the provincial jail in Mati City in Davao Oriental province, 1,035 kilometres south of Manila, and overpowered jail personnel.

The rebels carted away six assault rifles, five pistols and two hand-held two-way radios before fleeing.

Initial investigation showed the rebels arrived aboard a truck and formed three groups before entering the compound and systematically disarming jail officials.

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