The proclamation comes a few days after a bombing incident at a night market in Davao City which left at least 14 people killed and 67 others wounded.
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Duterte, who was in Davao at the time of the attack but not near the market, told reporters before dawn on Saturday that it was an act of terrorism, as he announced extra powers for the military.
In an interview with UKG, Mayor Duterte said they are wiling to give reward money to those who can lead them to the criminals behind the bombing.
Police immediately set up more checkpoints in key roads leading to the city, a regional gateway about 980 kilometers (610 miles) south of Manila.
Abu Sayyaf Muslim militants claimed responsibility for the blast, but dela Rosa said officials were not discounting the possibility that it could be the handiwork of drug traffickers or drug lords in collusion with the militants.
Duterte, Davao’s longtime mayor before he assumed the presidency in June, was in the region but had not issued any statement.
“Initial investigations show they found shrapnel from a mortar-based improvised explosive device”, presidential communications secretary Martin Andanar told DZMM radio, according to the French news agency AFP.
The president said his declaration did not amount to an imposition of martial law.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday declared a state of national emergency on the account of lawlessness, the Malacanang Presidential Palace said.
More than 2,000 people have died in the war on crime, and Duterte has vowed he will not let up until drugs are eliminated from society.
Mr Duterte’s spokesman, Ernesto Abella, warned the public to be vigilant and avoid crowds.
In 2003, Arroyo placed Davao City under a “state of lawlessness” after successive attacks on the worldwide airport and Sasa wharf left over two dozen people killed.
Asked if he thought the blast was the work of drugs gangs, Duterte said: “It is also being considered …”
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The Abu Sayyaf, notorious for their multi-million dollar hostage business in the jungles of Mindanao’s Jolo and Basilan islands, have been on the receiving end of sustained military operations of late. As regards this appointment, the head of state made sure that he will not admit sermons on the part of the US President, Barack Obama, on human rights, when they meet.
