Five Philippine policemen were wounded following a clash with leftist rebels in southern Philippines on Saturday, officials said on Sunday.

Police commandos from the 11th Special Action Force were conducting combat patrol in Sta. Cruz village, Tagbina town, in Mindanao's Surigao del Sur province when they encountered some 30 New People's Army guerrillas at 10:30 a.m., according to Martin Gamba, Caraga police regional spokesperson.

A 20-minute fire fight ensued that led to the wounding of five police officers, said Gamba, adding the rebels who have also suffered casualties immediately fled upon the arrival of police reinforcements.

The police official said the wounded were taken to a local hospital for treatment while the pursuit operations against the rebels were launched.

The 4,000-strong NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, is fighting a leftist insurgency in 60 Philippine provinces since 1969.