Cotabato City, Philippines - Two civilians were killed in an attack by Muslim secessionist rebels in the southern Philippines, a regional military spokesman said Thursday.

Colonel Julieto Ando said the fighting erupted late Wednesday when Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels attacked a government militia outpost in Kalamansig town in Sultan Kudarat province, 960 kilometres south of Manila.

Ando said the civilian victims were caught in the crossfire.

The MILF rebels attacked another militia outpost in a nearby village but no casualties were reported, according to Ando.

"More soldiers, backed up by two helicopter gunships, have been dispatched to the area to pursue the rebels," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, six civilians were killed when MILF rebels attacked three villages in nearby Senator Ninoy Aquino town, also in Sultan Kudarat. (dpa)