The Philippine military has deployed many forces to deal with rebel groups in recent times. (Source: The Bohol Chronicle)

According to Philippine military spokesman Hector Estolas, at around 2 a.m. on December 17 (local time), government forces and a group of 14 rebels from the rebel force calling itself the "New People's Army" (NPA) clashed fiercely.

The four-hour gun battle in Balayan town, south of the capital Manila, came as government troops launched an offensive after receiving intelligence that NPA forces were planning to take action.

The ensuing clash left seven people dead, including one soldier, and three others injured. Meanwhile, six NPA suspects were killed.

The Philippine military is still searching for the remaining members of the NPA.

The NPA has been fighting the government since 1969, mainly in rural areas and has clashed with the military on several occasions. The NPA currently has an estimated 2,000 members, according to the Philippine military.