Lawmaker dead in Philippine House blast

QUEZON CITY, Philippines, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- At least one lawmaker and an aide died in an explosion Tuesday at the Philippine House of Representatives outside of Manila.

Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar, 47, died of injuries sustained in the blast that appeared to originate from the ceiling in the south wing lobby of the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City, GMAN-TV, Manila, reported.

The driver for Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan also died in the blast, dzBB radio reported.

Luzviminda and Rep. Pryde Henry Teves were among nine people taken to hospitals with injuries.

The House had just ended its session when the explosion occurred. Akbar, a first term lawmaker, was en route to his car, talking on the phone, a witness told dzBB.

Police and firefighters had the area cordoned off.