Davao Explosion: the Crisis, the Aftermath and the Culprit

President Duterte’s hometown was recently hit by a devastating explosion, bringing 14 deaths and 71 injured and wounded. The Davao explosion caused an alarm to the national government and prompted Duterte to declare a “state of lawlessness” hours after the bombing incident.

After the declaration by Duterte, many have been asking about this and if it is the same as martial law. However, Duterte retorted that his declaration was different from martial law. Many legal experts also backed his declaration, citing the need for it after The Davao incident.
From Persida Rueda Acosta, the Chief of Public Attorney’s Office:

“The President has the power to call out the armed forces to maintain the rule of law and prevent any lawless violence under Article VII, Section 18, of the 1987 Constitution.”

“The President has the discretion and it is within his powers. It has factual basis since there are persons not following the law. It is lawlessness.”

The Explosion Crisis

Davao vice-mayor Duterte received information about the bomb threat 2 days before the explosion. He initially earned flak for announcing a still-to-be-verified threat. However, the threat should have been an indication that people especially those who are enforcing security should be on high alert.

After the declaration of state of lawlessness, both the Armed Forces of the Philipines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) are on high alert.

“I have directed all commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to be on high alert especially in urban centers for possible other terroristic act attempts by this group.”

– Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said in a statement issued on Saturday, September 3.

Meanwhile, a memorandum issued by Chief Supt. Camilo Cascolan, of the Directorate for Operations, declared the PNP on full  alert nationwide.

The Aftermath

Davao explosion caused the deaths of 14 and over seventy people wounded. The event happened at Roxas Night Market in Davao City. 10 deaths were immediately declared after the explosion, where accounts told that explosion originated  at a massage parlor.

Names of those killed from the explosion were released as of Sept. 3.

1. Larida, Daniel;
2. Larida, Melanie Faith;
3. SP01 Adremesin, Jay;
4. Cagantas, Rogelio;
5. Basilisco, Mercy;
6. Decolongon, Cristelle
7.  Merisido, Ruth;
8. Salvador, Reynaldo;
9. Biscocho, Eufemia;
10. Reyes, Christian Denver;
11. Sobrecary, Evelyn

The remaining 3 dead victims are yet to be identified. Their dead bodies are being serviced art Cosmpolitan Funeral Homes and Angel Funeral Homes in Davao.

The Davao City government announced its support to shoulder the cost of the burial and funeral expenses through a statement issued by Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio on September 3.

The Culprit

The terrorist group, notorious for bringing nightmares to the Philippines especially in the southern part, is currently linked to the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Formerly associated with the Al Qaeda terrorist group, Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility of the bomb attack in Davao, as a form of retaliation to the national government, especially to Duterte, who is bent to pulverize the 400-strong terrorist group.

Initially, the Abu Sayyaf was reported to be behind the deadly attack. In an interview on Saturday morning after the attack, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Mike Sueno announced through a radio interview that the Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the attack.

However, hours after claiming their involvement, the notorious group announced that an ally wsas responsible for the deadly explosion. The group’s name is Daulat Ul Islamiya.  Information about this group is still scarce but based on an online research it is also linked to ISIL. Daulat is the Arabic word for “state”. And perhaps, many of you have an idea what is Islamiya. Taken logically and technically, Daulat Ul Islamiya may have been the Arabic term for Islamic State.

Abu Sayyaf’s spokesperson Abu Rami said that the bomb attack would be the beginning of more attacks. However, they would stop if Duterte would make hadith his laws and he would seek conversion to Islam.

From Wikipedia, hadith is s one of various reports describing the words, actions, or habits of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

If we take this into context, the notorious group is pushing for an Islamic State similar to what has been formed in Iraq and Syria.

With many Arabic words that people should know about, I believe we also have to know about Muhammad Accord. I think there should also be a full disclosure on what these terrorist groups are into.

The threat should stop

Millions of Filipino people should find the time to pray for Davao. The hashtag #PrayforDavao is actively trending in the wake of the Davao explosion.

Although the fight against the terrorist group is on-going, many people are praying for an end to this war.

Instilling fear is not working anymore although this terrorist group still finds a way to unsuccessfully channel their power by bringing fear to the masses by means of bomb threats and attacks.

Pray, meditate and radiate positivity to the Philippines to put an end to the threats, the fear-mongering of the terrorists and the end of the terrorist groups.

What we know so far on the aftermath of Davao explosion is limited on the reports shared on social media and from the mainstream media.  But we believe we are fortunate enough to be in an era where news fly fast in social media and declaration of statements from various organizations can be issued and then be shared online.

The story of the Davao explosion can be linked to the various bombing incidents happening in a span of a few years all over the world, in which the the culprits claiming responsibility are the ISIL and their affiliated terrorist groups.

What do you think about the declaration of the state of lawlessness?
What have you been doing to make an end to these threats, attacks and challenges the Philippines is facing?