Manila - Communist rebels attacked on Tuesday a group of soldiers in an eastern Philippine province ahead of a visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The guerrillas fired on the soldiers aboard a civilian vehicle in Mobo town in Masbate province, 390 kilometres south-east of Manila.

There were no reported casualties in the initial gunfight, but more troops have been dispatched to the area to pursue the rebels and a running gunbattle was continuing.

The attack occurred before Arroyo arrived in the province, where she was to meet with her cabinet in nearby Placer town.

Arroyo's security aides airlifted the president to Placer town to avoid the area of fighting.

In the past, security officials have accused communist rebels of plotting to assassinate Arroyo, who has survived several coup attempts and impeachment bids over corruption and fraud allegations.

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