MANILA, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government troops in Negros Occidental province in the central Philippines on Saturday, the military said.

In a report, the Philippine Army said the encounter occurred on Saturday morning in Kabankalan City, where soldiers engaged alleged members of the New People's Army.

Troops recovered five high-powered firearms and a grenade from the scene following the firefight, according to the military.

The military claimed the slain insurgents were linked to a series of violent incidents in the province.

No casualties were reported on the government side. ■