DAVAO CITY – President Rodrigo Duterte has declared a state of lawless violence in the Philippines following a deadly Abu Sayyaf attack in his hometown in Davao in the restive region of Mindanao.
At least 14 people were confirmed dead and over 60 others injured in the blast that targeted a night market along Roxas Avenue before midnight Friday. Police and soldiers who cordoned off the area recovered fragments of mortar bomb.
The blast was suspected to have come from a concealed bomb sneaked into the crowded market.
Abu Rami, a self-proclaimed Abu Sayyaf spokesman, has claimed responsibility for the attack in retaliation to the ongoing military offensives against them in Sulu, one of 5 provinces under the Muslim autonomous region. Rami even called on other mujahedeen to unite and fight the government, but majority of the Muslims condemned the bombing that killed innocent civilians.
Washington condoled with the families of the victims and has offered to assist the Philippines in the investigation into the attack.
“The United States offers deep condolences to the families and other loved ones of the victims of the explosion in the Philippines’ Davao City, and our thoughts and prayers are with the injured,” said U.S. National Security Council spokesperson Ned Price. “We understand that local authorities continue to investigate the cause of the explosion in the night market, and the United States stands ready to provide assistance to the investigation.”
But Duterte rejected the U.S. offer to help in the investigation, saying, the local police can handle the probe. The President, who inspected the site of the bombing before sunrise, has allayed fears by some sectors that his declaration of state of lawless violence would result to indiscriminate arrests and human rights violations.
“It’s not martial law, but I am inviting now the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military and the police to run the country in accordance with my specifications. Simula ngayon, I am declaring now, lahat, state of lawless violence – it’s not martial law, no such thing until – there is a threat against the people and against the nation,” he told reporters covering the situation in Davao.
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, one of the President’s sons, said authorities are on top of the situation. “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 said. “Let us pray for the victims of this unfortunate incident, especially for those who died. Let us pray for those who are being treated in different hospitals and pray for their quick recovery.”
The Abu Sayyaf has earlier threatened to attack military and civilian targets and it would bring the war on Duterte’s soldiers.
Lawyer Salvador Panelo, the government’s chief legal counsel, said Duterte’s declaration of state of lawless violence covers the whole country and the President has the power to call out the Armed Forces of the Philippines – if lawless violence such as terrorism or illegal drugs are in need of suppression.
In 2003, a similar declaration was made after the bombing of Sasa Wharf in Davao City that killed 15 people and injured 44 others.
Davao City Mayor Sarah Carpio, the President’s daughter, said they will not be terrorized by the attack and called on the locals to unite and remain vigilant. “We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident. Let us remain vigilant, please report any and all suspicious activity, no matter how insignificant it may seem,” she said.
Governor Mujiv Hataman, of the Muslim autonomous region, has condemned the attack and branded the Abu Sayyaf as “the biggest traitor of Islam.”
“We are no strangers to such incidents, and we know the fear and sorrow that come with these tragedies. We are one with Davao City in this time of grief. In the fight for peace, we will not falter.”
“Acts of terror have no place in a country that tirelessly hopes for peace and stability. Time and again, this group has proven to be the biggest traitor of Islam, their activities are purely betrayal of the values and principles we hold dear as a peace-loving people,” Hataman said, adding, Islam does not condone the “spilling of blood” and that the murder of innocent people has no place in Islam. (With a report from Malou Cablinda.)
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