14 killed, 67 injured in Philippines Blast

TIL Desk/World/Manila-At least 14 persons were killed and 67 others injured in an explosion at a market in Philippines’ Davao city, police officials said on Saturday. The casualty figures were based on the latest information from area hospitals, Police Station Commander told.

“Based on initial investigation, police found a shrapnel from a mortar-based improvised explosive device,” Communication Secretary Martin Andanar said. The explosion occurred on Friday around 11.00 p.m. at a busy night market in the city centre. The Abu Sayyaf terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the deadly blast, according to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno on Saturday.

Abu Rami, a spokesman for Abu Sayyaf, confirmed the news. However, it was unclear how the spokesman informed the radio station. Speaking early Saturday morning, President Rodrigo Duterte, former mayor of Davao city, said that fighting Terrorism and the drug trade would require “a state of lawless violence”. The President visited the blast site around 4 a.m. He was in the city at the time of the blast but did not suffer any injuries.