AFP: Perpetrators of Davao City blast will be identified, made to pay

MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) -- Authorities will identify and hold those responsible for a bomb attack in Davao City late Friday night that killed 14 people and left 71 injured accountable, a military official said Saturday.

 

While the Abu Sayyaf Group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Edgard Arevalo said the "act of owning the explosion is something we expect the ASG to claim".

 

According to an Inquirer report, the Abu Sayyaf later disowned the attack, saying an allied group, Daulat Ul Islamiya, is behind the blast. 

 

"The post-blast investigation by the Philippine National Police is underway and it is expected to come up with conclusive, official findings," Arevalo said.

 

"That notwithstanding, if this was an act perpetrated by any group or by any individual, they will be made to answer for this dastardly crime," he said.

 

He said that the AFP, by virtue of the declaration of a "state of lawlessness" across the country by President Rodrigo Duterte, responds to the call and is prepared to undertake the tasks to ensure public safety.

 

He said AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya has placed the entire AFP on red alert and has directed all area commanders to coordinate with their counterparts in the PNP.

 

Visaya likewise ordered them to coordinate with regional directors of the Department of Interior and Local Government to convene the Regional Peace and Order Councils and act on the president's declaration, Arevalo said.

 

He asked the public for cooperation, especially when going through checkpoints.

 

"We ask our people to bear with us as we dutifully but courteously conduct our checkpoints and increase our presence in some areas. Your soldiers are there to ensure that public will be safe and that no criminals or terrorists lurk in our streets and perpetrate another vicious act," Arevalo said.

 

"We are calling for vigilance among our people. That is our first line of defense and the ultimate measure to attain collective security. Finally, we urge our people to remain calm and continue with their normal lives as we, as a people, go through this test of our resolve to fight terrorism and criminality," he said.