(UPDATE) 5 suspected leftist rebels killed in Abra

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Five suspected leftist rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in northern Philippines this morning, a military official said.

Major General Benito Antonio De Leon, commander of the Philippine Army's 5th Infantry Division, said the firefight between the soldiers and members of the New People's Army (NPA) erupted in Guinguinabang village, Lacub town in Abra province.

Soldiers recovered five high-powered firearms from the encounter site. No casualty was reported on the government side.

Military officials said the firefight is still ongoing.

De Leon said in a statement that Philippine Army soldiers chanced upon the NPA guerrillas while conducting security operations in the area.

He said residents had informed government troops that the leftist rebels were in the area to extort money and collect food from them.