"2016 Davao City explosion"
On September 2, 2016 an explosion occurred at a night market in Davao City, Philippines. The explosion caused at least 15 deaths and 71 injuries. Local authorities are yet to confirm if the explosion was caused by a bombing.
Militant group Abu Sayyaf reportedly claimed responsibility for the explosion but later denied responsibility claiming that their allies, the Daulat Ul-Islamiya, were responsible for the alleged bombings as a show of sympathy to the group. Disgruntled vendors are also being considered as possible perpetrators of the explosion.
On August 28, 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to destroy Abu Sayyaf, after the bandit group beheaded an 18-year old boy on August 22, 2016, when the victim's family failed to give ransom.
Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte received a bomb threat two days before the incident stating that an attack will occur either in General Santos or Davao City. Duterte opted not to release the info to the public citing that the bomb threat also told him not to publicize the threat. Recently, he also announced a earlier bomb threat that was then yet to be verified and was criticized for it.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio had previously ordered the popular night market to be closed due to "a number of violations and complaints." It however reopened on 13 August following meetings with the vendors and provided that all vendors follow stricter rules set by the city government.
The Islamic militant group Abu Sayyaf, through its spokesman, reportedly claimed responsibility for the alleged bombing as it called on the mujahideen in the country to unite against the Armed Forces of the Philippines.The group later denied the reports saying that it was their allies, the Daulat Ul-Islamiya responsible for the explosion saying that the Daulat's actions was to symphatize with the Abu Sayaff. Its spokeman said that the attacks will not stop unless Duterte adopt the hadith as law of the country and he himself will seek conversion to Islam.
Before the attack, the terrorist group reportedly vowed retaliation against the Philippine government for launching a major offensive against it recently in Sulu.
Southern Mindanao police director, Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan said that authorities are looking into the possibility that "disgruntled vendors" were responsible for the blast. Other groups were being investigated by authorities as possible perpetrators. Gaerlan noted that is is possible that any group can claim responsibility for the explosion to boost their own popularity.
Actual Video of Davao bombing..
The Philippine National Police has placed all of its units nationwide under full alert following the explosion.
The Davao City Police Office has also set up a hotline specifically for the victims of the blast
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a "state of lawless violence" in the Philippines as the whole city of Davao was placed on lockdown. Under the declaration, the Armed Forces of the Philippines are given the authority to conduct law enforcement operations normally done by the Philippine National Police, but unlike martial law, the writ of habeas corpus is not suspended. While no nationwide curfew has been imposed, residents were advised to stay indoors as police and soldiers set up checkpoints and search vehicles and houses. Duterte also cancelled a scheduled state visit to Brunei that would have taken place from September 4 to 5.
While condeming the attack, Senators Franklin Drilon and Risa Hontiveros raised concerns over President Duterte's nationwide declaration of a "state of lawless violence", pointing out that the military and police cannot "in any legal and constitutional sense run the country.
International[edit]
The United States through the US National Security Council expressed readiness to coordinate with local authorities regarding the investigation of the incident and offered condolences to the relatives of the victims of the blast.[16] Australia likewise offered willingness to support local law enforcers in regards too combating terrorism and also expressed their condolences.
The governments of Canada and Singapore issued travel warnings to its citizens. While Australia reiterates its travel warning in the area.
Facebook activated its Safety Check feature hours after the bombing.
Pray For Davao and for the Whole World.
