Philippines News Agency reported At least 15 people have been killed and 69 people hurt in an explosion at a night market in Davao City, a police official said. Some of the victims were brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Davao City was on place high alert, with police checkpoints set up throughout the city and President Duterte authorized the police and military to search cars and frisk people at checkpoints, the PNA said. The President also put the nation under “state of lawlessness” saying he has not declared martial law and not suspended the writ of habeas corpus.
Duterte said “We have to confront the ugly head of terrorism” and "We will take this as a police matter about terrorism."
No group has claimed responsibility, but Duterte said it's possible the explosion "could be a reprisal" from extremists.
Duterte campaigned a violent crackdown against drugs since he was sworn in eights weeks ago that kills suspected dealers and also fought Abu Sayyaf.due to the spate kidnappings and crimes in the country, which remains outside the country’s sputtering peace process. Duterte was recently the subject of an assassination attempt.
Presidential spokesman Martin Andanar mentioned the possible involvement of the Islamist militant Abu Sayyaf group or drug lords, according to CNN affiliate ABS-CBN.
Andanar said components of a suspected improved explosive device were found at the scene of the explosion, according to ABS-CBN.
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