Terrorist group Abu Sayyaf has claimed responsibility for the explosion at the night market in Roxas Avenue, Davao City, ABS-CBN News said in an initial report. The explosion occurred past 10 pm Friday night. The number of persons who died in the explosion rose to 15 as five more died in the hospital after the initial count of 10 who died on the spot.
Around 69 were injured in the explosion, according to Davao City Police spokesperson Chief Inspector Catherine Dela Rey.
The Department of National Defense earlier hinted that the attack was carried out by members of the Abu Sayyaf Group who has suffered heavy casualties in the ongoing military offensive in Sulu province for the past week.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. While nobody has come up to own the act we can only assume that this was perpetrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayaff that has suffered heavy casualties in Jolo in the past weeks,” National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier said.
“We have predicted this and has warned our troops accordingly but the enemy is also adept at using the democratic space granted by our constitution to move around freely and unimpeded to sow terror,” the DND chief stressed.
Lorenzana said the entire DND laments this unfortunate incident and extends its sympathy to those who were killed in the blast, and prays for those injured.
“We appeal to our citizens to remain calm but alert and vigilant, and cooperate with our security forces,” he added. with PNA
