Manila - Two communist rebels were killed Friday in a clash with government troops in an eastern Philippine province, an army spokesman said.

One soldier was wounded in the fighting that erupted in Calauag town in Quezon province, 165 kilometres south-east of Manila, Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Brawner said.

Brawner said troops also recovered one M-14 rifle, one handheld radio transceiver, one bandoleer and personal belongings left behind by the fleeing rebels.

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