Davao City, Philippines  - A pro-government militiaman was killed in a clash with communist rebels in the southern Philippines, an army spokeswoman said Monday.

Captain Ma. Rosa Cristina Manuel said the fighting erupted Sunday when troops encountered an undetermined number of guerrillas in Baganga town in Davao Oriental province, 1,005 kilometres south of Manila.

Manuel said more troops have been dispatched to the area to conduct pursuit operations.

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