Manila - Two communist rebels were killed Tuesday in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said.

Major Armand Rico said the fighting erupted Tuesday afternoon when patrolling troops encountered about 20 guerrillas in Boston town in Davao Oriental province, 975 kilometres south of Manila.

One soldier was also wounded in the combat and was being treated at a nearby hospital, according to Rico.

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