3 dead, 12 injured in Philippine blast

ROSARIO, Philippines, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Police suspected dynamite blasting caps caused a blast Monday that killed at least three people, injured 12 and destroyed six apartments in the Philippines.

Rosario Vice Mayor Jose Hernandez said the explosion occurred near a school, causing parents to panic, Pacific News Center reported.

"Our initial suspicion is that the explosion was caused by dynamite fishing blasting caps," Rosario Police Chief Superintendent Edgar Roquero told Pacific News Center. "The blast has totally wrecked the house and damaged others as well."

Blasting caps are used illegally to catch fish. A similar explosion occurred three months ago in Bacoor, killing four people, Pacific News reported.