DAVAO – President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday morning declared a “state of lawless violence” in the Philippines following an explosion in Davao City that claimed the lives of 14 people and left more than 60 others injured.
Duterte, in an interview with journalists at the blast site at a popular night market in Roxas Avenue, said soldiers and police will be authorized to conduct searches in accordance with the “orchestration of the national government.”
image by Fr. Jboy Gonzales on Twitter
“I may invite uniformed personnel to run the country according to my specifications,” Duterte said.
“Any punitive action that will be taken by the security forces will be in a bid to stop terrorism,” he added.
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) claims responsibility for davao blast
The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) on Saturday claimed responsibility for an explosion in Davao City that left 14 people dead and at least 60 others wounded, and warned of more attacks “in the coming days.”
image by Fr. Jboy Gonzales on Twitter
ASG spokesperson Abu Rami said the Davao attack is a “call for unity to all mujahideen in the country” amid the all-out offensive of the military against the group.
Abu Rami said that the attack in Davao City is not part of a tactic to divert the attention of government forces who have been pursuing the bandits in Sulu and Basilan.
Read the story of blast in davao
Source: Abs-cbn
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