Several injured in Philippine Congress blast -reports

MANILA, Nov 13 (Reuters) At least a dozen people were injured when a powerful explosion ripped through the south wing of the Philippine Congress building on Tuesday, local media reported.

The blast happened at around 8 pm (1730 IST).

Witnesses told radio stations that the ground shook and part of the ceiling of the lower house Batasan complex collapsed and chunks of its facade fell off.

The injured were being stretchered away.

One witness said the explosion appeared to come from a car parked outside the building.

Geary Barias, Manila's police chief, declined to comment.

REUTERS SKB HT1902