Manila  - At least 15 communist rebels were killed in combat with government security forces in the southern Philippines, the military said Monday.

Twelve guerrillas were also captured in the fighting in Surigao del Norte province, 750 kilometres south of Manila, according to Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner, an army spokesman.

Two policemen were also killed in the firefight.

The clashes erupted after rebels attacked two police stations and government offices in the towns of General Luna and Dapa on Siargao Island, a part of Surigao del Norte province, on Saturday evening.

One policeman was wounded in the attacks, while the guerrillas carted away 12 firearms and communication equipment, according to police.

Brawner said sporadic clashes were continuing in Claver town on the province's mainland.

"The rebels are trapped in Lapinigan (village)," he said.

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)