PNP, AFP says Abu Sayyaf Group did it
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now focusing on two suspects in the bombing incident in the Roxas Avenue night market in Davao City that killed 15 and injured more than 70.
In a press conference Saturday night in Camp Catitipan in Buhangin, Davao City, PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa said they were investigating a male and a female suspects still at large.
The police are using the information given by the eight witnesses in the composition of the cartographic sketch of the suspects.
Yet, there is no certainty whether the suspects are still in Davao City.
He added while the authorities are now strictly monitoring all the possible entry and exit points in Davao City, it cannot guarantee no bad elements will find their way back because of the vast coastal areas.
Authorities already created on Saturday a Special Investigation Task Group Night Market which will focus on the bombing incident.
But without much comprehensive information, dela Rosa was quick at naming a terrorist group was responsible for the bombing.
There is an ongoing war between government troops and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) seen by dela Rosa as the motive behind the bombing and not the nationwide campaign against illegal drugs.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines already disclosed the ASG has claimed responsibility for the Davao bombing but without much detail and convincing proof.
Dela Rosa said that the Davao bombing could have been a diversionary tactic of the group so that government forces would be on the defensive mode to ease up the all-out war, particularly in Sulu province.
As of Saturday, encounters has claimed the lives of 15 government troops and 30 ASG elements in Sulu.
The PNP Chief said there is also a big chance that the intelligence group of the PNP and the AFP will be waylaid by the terrorists.
The President earlier declared the state of lawlessness in the country.
It must be recalled that Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued the same declaration in 2003 after the bombings at the Davao airport terminal and the Sasa Wharf.
Video: President Duterte visits victims of Davao blast at the hospital:
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