MANILA - An explosion ripped through part of the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday, injuring several people, local media reports said.

Local radio said a "huge explosion" took place in the south lobby of the chamber just after 8:00 pm (1200 GMT).

"It looks like there were a number of people injured," congressman Joel Villanueva told local radio.

A session of Congress had just ended when the explosion occurred at the sprawling complex north of Manila. - AFP/ir