A powerful explosion rocked the Philippine House of Representatives late Tuesday killing three people, an MP among them, and injured 10 others.

The blast destroyed the south entrance of the Parliament around 8 p.m. local time as members of the lower house were leaving after a session, authorities reported.

Congressman Wahab Akbar was killed alongside his driver in the blast.

"It looks like the congressman was the target of the attack," Manila police chief Geary Barias told reporters, cited by BBC.

Police investigations pointed to a bomb planted on a motorcycle near Akbar's car.

The MP had been a governor of Basilan island in the Philippines used as a base by the Islamist group Abu Sayyaf, notorious for its kidnapping and bombing raids.

Abu Sayyaf is listed as a terrorist organization by the US and is believed to have links to al-Qaeda.

Last month another explosion damaged a shopping mall in the Philipine capital Manila, killing 11 people and injuring more than 100. A preliminary police report said it was an accident.

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