Manila  - One soldier was killed and four others wounded in attacks against government troops in the Philippines, the military said Wednesday.

Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, an anti-terrorism task force chief, said a marine was killed and another wounded when suspected Abu Sayyaf rebels attacked them on Tuesday in Patikul town on Jolo island, 1000 kilometres south of Manila.

Sabban said the victims were riding a motorcycle on the way to Jolo town when they were attacked by suspected al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf guerrillas.

Two army officers were also injured on Tuesday in a clash with suspected communist guerrillas in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

Another army soldier was also wounded on Tuesday in an attack by communist rebels in the eastern province of Sorsogon.

The Philippine government has been battling Muslim and communist insurgencies for more than three decades, crippling economic development in the countryside. (dpa)