Manila, Nov 4 (IANS): Two Filipino soldiers were killed and four others wounded in a clash with New People's Army (NPA) rebels in the Negros Occidental province, the military said on Thursday.

The military said the fighting, which broke out around 3.40 p.m. on Wednesday lasted about an hour, reports Xinhua news agency.

The army sent troops to the area after villagers complained about the rebels' presence, the military added.

No casualties were reported on the side of the rebels, but the military claimed troops saw the rebels drag at least four comrades as they fled.

Last weekend, the military confirmed having killed NPA's high-ranking commander George Madlos, a "topmost wanted" rebel leader, during a clash in the southern Bukidnon province.

The NPA rebels have been fighting the government since 1969.

They concentrate their attacks on rural areas and small-scale skirmishes with the military.

President Rodrigo Duterte restarted the talks to end the decades-old insurgency when he came to power in 2016, but the negotiations faltered.

The NPA estimated strength is at 3,000, significantly lower than its peak strength in the 1980s.