A soldier and six militants were killed in a military clash with armed communist rebels in the Philippines on Sunday.

Troops from the 59th Infantry 'Protector' Battalion, the Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Air Force were 'conducting combat operations' when they encountered some 15 members of the New People's Army in Malalay town, Batangas province, on December 17.

The ensuing gunfight left one trooper and six rebels dead, while three soldiers were wounded, the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division said in a statement.

The injured officers were rushed to the Medical Center Western Batangas in Balayan town.

Authorities said two M16 rifles, a M653 rifle, a shotgun, and 'subversive documents' were retrieved at the scene.

Pursuit operations were ongoing to catch the other armed rebels.

Major General Roberto Capulong, commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, said: 'This encounter has incurred fatalities in our ranks, but this will not deter our resolve to continue our sworn duty in ensuring the safety and security of our communities against these terrorist groups, especially this Yuletide Season.'

The New People's Army is the military wing of the Communist Party - a benighted ideology originating from German philosopher Karl Marx in the 19th century - of the Philippines. Its members are primarily based in the archipelago's countryside, and have been waging a guerrilla war on the government in one of the longest-running rebellions in the world.

The group has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United States and the European Union.