Speaking early Saturday morning, President Rodrigo Duterte, former mayor of Davao city, said that fighting terrorism and the drug trade would require “a state of lawless violence”.
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Leonor Rala, a 19-year-old medical technology student at San Pedro College, told CNN Friday night that she was terrified after the blast struck near her dorm.
Officials have claimed Islamist militant group Abu Sayyaf has taken responsibility for the blast, but that claim has not been authenticated. 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. The newly-elected president has been active in the crackdown of drug syndicates around the country which has resulted to more than 2,000 drug-related deaths since July 1.
After his command, dozens of Abu Sayyaf members were reported killed by the military just last week.
Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Abu Sayyaf would have good reason to retaliate and he had placed the military on high alert for possible attacks elsewhere.
TIGHT SECURITY Security forces are scattered all over Davao City as the threat of another terrorist attack remains high following the September 2 blast that left 14 people dead.
“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.
“President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a proclamation declaring a ‘State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence”, Palace officials have confirmed Monday.
Meanwhile, the Islamic rebel group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which is a breakaway faction of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front in the Philippines, said that the bomb blast at Roxas Avenue could have been aimed at diverting the attention of the authorities from the Sulu Province.
Duterte is likely to use this bombing to further crack down on drug dealers and other criminals. His term in office was noted for his hardline stance on drug crime that he has now incorporated into his national policies.
Meanwhile, Duterte, who declared a “state of lawlessness” in the country following the blast, denied that the explosion was a result of intelligence failure.
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Following President Dutertes order, close to 8,000 soldiers are hunting down Abu Sayyaf fighters in their lairs in Sulu and have so far killed nearly 30.
