MANILA, Philippines -- A government soldier was wounded after suspected New People's Army (NPA) rebels attacked a detachment of Air Force combatants in Nasugbu town, Batangas province, south of Manila on Thursday, a regional military spokesman said.

The rebels attacked the headquarters of the 733rd Combat Squadron in Clayo village at around 1:30 a.m., said Major Randolph Cabangbang, public information officer of the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command (Solcom).

The identity of the wounded soldier, who holds the rank of Airman second class, was not immediately released. He was brought to a nearby hospital for treatment, Cabangbgang said in a text message.

The NPA guerillas were believed to have suffered an undetermined number of casualties, the spokesman said.

Empty shells from M203 grenade launcher, and M16 and M14 rifles were recovered from the scene, he said.

The attack came even as the government claimed to have gained momentum against the NPA, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), which the military estimated to be at 5,700 in strength at the end of 2007.