Manila  - Eight suspected robbers were killed in a shootout with police officers in a running gunbattle in the northern Philippines, a police report said Monday.

The fighting erupted late Sunday when patrolling police officers accosted a group of men entering a big house in Tarlac City in Tarlac province, 120 kilometres north of Manila.

The suspects fired at the police officers, triggering a shootout that resulted into the killing of two suspected robbers.

The other suspects fled using a vehicle, but police officers gave chase.

The police officers caught up with the suspects in Santo Domingo town in nearby Nueva Ecija province, resulting in another fierce gunbattle that killed six more gunmen.

Police recovered five assault rifles, two motorcycles and a van from the slain suspects. (dpa)