Kuala Lumpur - A Filipino refugee living in Malaysia's eastern state of Sabah blew up himself and his wife with explosives, leaving their 13 children orphaned, a news report said Tuesday.

Babin Isang, 35, had gone to see his wife Indak Musa, also 35, early Monday to persuade her to come home after she left him to stay with her sister more than a month ago.

Babin, who had ordered his children to leave the house, was heard shouting at his wife when the blast went off, the Star daily said.

Indak was believed to have threatened to divorce her husband, the report said.

Babin, who was self employed, and his wife were killed in the blast, believed to be caused by a fishing bomb, said city deputy police chief Rowell Marong.

None of the children, aged between three and 20, were hurt, the report said.