Davao Philippines President: Huge Explosion killed 14people was act of terrorism

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• published: 03 Sep 2016
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Philippines President: Explosion that killed 14 was act of terrorism Explosion in Davao, Philippines Video 2 September 2016 Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte placed the nation on lockdown Friday night after an explosion at a Davao City market killed at least 14 people and injured 71, the official Philippines News Agency reported. Duterte, saying the explosion was an act of terrorism, authorized the police and military to search cars and frisk people at checkpoints, the PNA said. He put the nation under a "state of lawlessness," saying he has not declared martial law and has not suspended the writ of habeas corpus, the PNA said. Rodrigo Duterte promised to fight drug dealers "We have to confront the ugly head of terrorism," Duterte said, standing near the explosion site on Roxas Avenue in Davao City, his hometown. "We will take this as a police matter about terrorism." The explosion happened around 10 p.m. Friday (10 a.m. ET) at the Roxas night market near Ateneo de Davao University, said Chief Inspector Catherine Dela Rey, spokeswoman for Davao City Police. The market is known to attract thousands. Witnesses have said they heard the loud bang, followed by smoke, hear a massage parlor in the market about 10.15pm local time. Ten people died at the scene with another two dying in hospital. The country's Department of National Defense has now said they suspect Abu Sayyaf orchestrated the attack. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said it was suspected the attack had been launched in retaliation to the intensified operations against the group. He said: "While nobody has come up to own the act we can only assume that this was perpetrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayaff that has suffered heavy casualties in Jolo in the past weeks. "We have predicted this and have warned our troops accordingly but the enemy is also adept at using the democratic space granted by our constitution to move around freely and unimpeded to sow terror." He asked the public to remain "calm but alert and vigilant", local media reported. The attack comes after Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered government troops to destroy the Abu Sayyaf militants, after the they beheaded an 18-year-old Filipino hostage, kidnapped last July in Jolo, a stronghold of Abu Sayyaf.Local media GMA News Online has reported that the blast came after national police reported they had recently foiled an assassination plot against the president. The country's president Rodrigo Duterte is already at the site but is safe. Duterte, who is from Davao City, usually flies home every weekend. The market is a hotspot for the city's 1.6 million people with initial reports suggesting five females and five males were among those killed in the bombing. President Duterte spoke out over the bombing, declaring a state of lawlessness. He said: "We have leads but we won't reveal it to the public as of now. "Because of the threats against me and the people in government, I have to calibrate my moves very carefully." Vice Mayor of Davao, and the son of the current president, Paolo Duterte released a statement saying: "Rest assured the authorities are on top of this incident. "Right now, we cannot yet give definite answer to as to who is behind this as we are also trying to determine what really exploded." He asked for prayers for the victims, confirming that at least 10 people had been killed. A statement released from Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said: "An explosion of still unverified cause occurred at the Davao night market resulting in the death of at least 10 persons and around 60 people injured. "While no one has yet claimed responsibility it is best that the populace refrain from reckless speculation and avoid crowded places. "There is no cause for alarm, but it is wise to be cautious."