The Philippine military says government forces have killed seven communist rebels in the latest blow to the insurgents who have suffered battle losses in recent clashes.

Army brigade commander Colonel Henry Sabare says troops backed by police were checking reports about armed men in a village in northern Tarlac province late Tuesday when they were fired upon by New People’s Army rebels. The fighting ended early on Wednesday with seven rebels dead.

Sabare says the recovery of a machine gun and other high-calibre weapons indicate that a rebel leader was part of the group.