MANILA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Seven suspected rebels were killed in a clash with Philippine government troops in Masbate province, southeast of Manila, on Sunday morning, an army spokesperson said.

In a report, Major Frank Roldan of the army's 9th Infantry Division said troops clashed with 15 alleged members of the New People's Army (NPA) around 6 a.m. local time during a combat operation in the province's Uson town, resulting in the killing of seven insurgents.

No soldiers were killed or wounded in the fighting. The military said troops recovered seven assault rifles and two grenade launchers from the encounter site.

NPA rebels have been fighting government troops since 1969. Military data showed that the NPA's personnel strength has declined since its peak of around 25,000 armed members in the 1980s.

Despite its dwindling fighters, the NPA continues to launch small-scale attacks in the countryside. ■