Cotabato City, Philippines  - Four people were killed in a clash between two warring Muslim rebel factions in the southern Philippines, a regional army spokesman said Friday.

Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Ponce said the fighting erupted Thursday when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) commander Jing Caludtiag and his men attacked the camp of MILF commander Randy Karon in Lebak town in Sultan Kudarat province, 930 kilometres south of Manila.

Ponce said three followers of Caludtiag died in the 45-minute gunfight, while one of Karon's men was killed.

"The bodies were recovered by responding troops," he said. "The fighting is in relation with the long-time feud between the two commanders."

The 12,000-strong MILF is the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines since 1978.

Peace talks between the MILF and the Philippine government have been suspended since August 2008 after the rebels launched a series of deadly attacks that triggered fighting with the military. (dpa)