PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday warned the public of more bombings as Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa confirmed that a group linked to the so-called Islamic State was behind the Davao night market blast that killed 14 people and hurt 70 others.
“There will be more [bombings] because of retaliations, reprisals,” Duterte said upon his arrival at the Davao International Airport after his working visit to Indonesia.
The President did not reveal details because of ongoing investigations and said the matter was an issue of national security.
“But there will be a day of reckoning. Wait for it,” the President said as Dela Rosa confirmed that the suspect in the Davao blast was a member of a group that has pledged allegiance to the terrorist Islamic State.
“They share the same faith as that of the Abu Sayyaf group. They both pledged allegiance to ISIS,” Dela Rosa said at the Mimaropa regional police office which celebrated its anniversary on Saturday.
Dela Rosa said the police have already identified the person who actually planted the bomb at a massage booth at the Roxas night market in Davao City last September 7 but declined to reveal the suspect’s name because of the ongoing investigation.
He said terrorism and multiple murder charges are being prepared against the suspect, who was earlier said to be around 30 years old with a slim build and between 5’7 to 5’8 in height.
Duterte said he will have to assess if Davao City is still an appropriate venue for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that the country will be hosting next year.
“That will depend on the security of Davao City. I would have to listen to the military and the police for an accurate assessment,” he said.
“We do not want any bloody thing here,” Duterte said. “I have stated my case very clearly: we are in a state of lawlessness. I do not need any additional power.”
