Manila  - Three suspected Muslim militants were killed in a clash with government troops in the southern Philippines, a military spokesman said Thursday.

Five Marines were also wounded in the firefight Wednesday in the town of Kalingalang Kaluang on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometres south of Manila, Major David Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros said the soldiers were on combat patrol when they encountered the gunmen, who were believed to be members of the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf rebel group.

He said Abu Sayyaf guerrillas also bombed a mobile telephone transmission tower in nearby Indanan town Wednesday evening, making communication on the island difficult.

"Terrorists have brought additional suffering to the people of Jolo," he said.

On September 29, two US soldiers and a Filipino marine were killed in a landmine attack by Abu Sayyaf rebels in Indanan town.

The American troops were overseeing the construction of projects in the village, including school buildings and roads.

The US military pulled out the American forces working on the project after the attack.

The Abu Sayyaf has been blamed for some of the worst terrorist attacks in the Philippines as well as high-profile kidnappings-for-ransom involving foreign hostages. (dpa)