An explosion hit a market in Davao city in Southern Philippines, at least 10 people were reportedly killed and 60 were injured. Police suspected an improvised explosive device, but there is no official confirmation of the cause. This explosion follows President Duterte's aggressive crackdown on corruption and drugs in his nation and a thwarted assassination attempt.
As GMANetwork reports, President Rodrigo Duterte is not going to change his travel schedule despite the Philippine National Police thwarting an assassination attempt against him.
"No, no, no, absolutely no. I live the way I want it. I work the way I must," Duterte said during a press conference in Davao del Norte on Friday, dismissing the idea of cutting-back on his trips outside his principal workplace over security concerns.
Nevertheless, the president understood that the strain his travels put on the Presidential Security Group (PSG).
"It’s useless to be talking about the Presidential Security Command because they’re always around me – whether I like it or not. I have been driving them away since day one, but they just don’t believe me, so there’s nothing I can do. I go to where… I embrace the, I… tsika-tsika. That’s has always been my norm as a politician but apparently, when you are already a president, everything changes. You cannot have your cake and eat it too, ika nga," he explained.
Duterte meanwhile believed that his family was adequately protected, though it had been reported that Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte had requested increased security for his family because of the assassination attempt against his father.
And it is Davao City where tonight's deadly explosion hit…
(via DailyStar)
The blast struck outside a highend hotel at a busy market in Davao City on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao at around 10.15pm local time.
It has left at least 10 dead, according to a Philiippine presidential spokesman.
Witnesses heard a terrifying bang and smoke was seen billowing across the city.
Presidential spokesman Ernie Abella told CNN Philippines that there were at least 10 deaths and 60 injuries. However, there were reports from 911 insiders that 15 people died in the blast.
Abella said the cause of the explosion is unknown. This is amid reports that a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank exploded.
The explosion in Davao City occured after the local terrorist group Abu Sayyaf warned that they will retaliate against the intensified military operations in Sulu.
Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte called on the public to be vigilant against retaliatory attacks by the ASG, who already pledged allegiance to the international terrorist group ISIS.
On the other hand, Abu Sayyaf spokesperson Alhabsi Misaya called on all Tausugs to join the jihad (holy war). In a text message, he said the ASG and government troops "will test each other in a liberation" by September 1st.
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While there are no details as yet – the location and proximity strongly suggest this was a warning/threat to Duterte to back off – as opposed to a random act of terrorism.
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