A regional leader of the Philippine left-wing guerrilla force the New People's Army (NPA) was killed Sunday in a "scuffle" with government troops after he was arrested in Leyte, southern Philippines, said the military Monday.

An army spokesman, Major Ernesto Torres, identified the rebel as Antonio Ramos, who was the secretary-general of "the Negros- Leyte Front" of NPA.

Torres said Ramos was arrested at a government checkpoint and when troops were bringing him to their headquarters aboard a military truck, the suspect grabbed the rifle of one of the soldiers, triggering a scuffle.

Ramos was said to have been wounded on his abdomen in the scuffle and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead-on- arrival by attending physicians.

The NPA is a 7,000-strong guerrilla force fighting government troops since 1969.

Source: Xinhua