Cotabato City, Philippines - Two Muslim secessionist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said Wednesday.

The fighting erupted Tuesday when government troops caught up with fleeing Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Guindulungan town in Maguindanao province, 960 kilometres south of Manila, Major Armand Rico said.

Two soldiers were wounded in the fighting and were being treated at a hospital in nearby Cotabato City, Rico said.

The MILF rebels first attacked an army outpost in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town but were immediately repulsed by soldiers, the major said. A pursuit was then launched.

The military is bracing for more MILF attacks after the end of the holy month of Ramadan next week.

MILF rebels attacked towns and villages in several provinces in Mindanao last month after the Supreme Court stopped the signing of an agreement that would have expanded an existing autonomous region in the strife-torn region.

More than 200 people have been killed in subsequent clashes between MILF rebels and government troops, and more than 500,000 fled their homes to avoid being caught in the fighting.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo scrapped the government peace panel negotiating with the MILF. Arroyo demanded that the MILF surrender those responsible for the August attacks before peace negotiations could resume. (dpa)