QUEZON City, Philippines (September 7) – Bloodshed struck Davao City after the tragic bombing left 15 dead and 70 injured.
Witnesses said they heard a loud bang followed by smoke. Also the blast came from the massage area of the market in the middle of the street. The Police investigators fanned out on Sunday in search of the three persons of interest. Two women and a man described by the witnesses to be in his 40’s with medium build, hurriedly left after having a massage session in the market, according to the police.
Witnesses claimed that the man left his backpack under the massage bed, the workers tried to call his attention to his bag, the man didn’t look back and continued to walk away. A few seconds later, the explosion took place, the witnesses said. An improvised exposive device caused the explosion, Presidential spokeperson Martin Andanar said.
Militant group, Abu Sayyaf reportedly claimed the responsibility for the bombing but later denied responsibility claiming that their allies, the Daulat UI-islamiya, were responsible for the incident as a show of sympathy to the group. Disgruntled vendors are also considered as possible suspects.
Known for his quick response, President Rodrigo Duterte did not hesitate to declare a state of lawless violence following the bombing, which he considered as an act of terrorism.
This caught the attention of millions of Filipinos and whispers of martial law started to spread.
Of course, many more rallied for the President, showing their support for the declaration.
Defenders of the President said that the state of lawlessness is only for the summoning of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to step in and help in ordinary police actions. In short, more checkpoints, more military personnel on the street.
Instead of both sides bashing each other on every public fora, what we have to do as a country and as a people is to unite and to not give in to a climate of fear that the terrorists want to spread.
Our country is stronger than this single incident of bombing and we know our President. Rest assured that justice will be served.
(written by Allysa Ruiz and Leslie Monica, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)
