DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio refused to bow down to the terror attack by suspected Abu Sayyaf jihadists and ordered the Roxas night market to reopen Sunday despite the Friday bombing that killed 14 people and hurt 67 others.
“We will not be terrorized by this heinous crime and I call on all Dabawenyos to unite and let us help each other rise from this senseless incident,” Duterte said, hours after her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, declared a “state of lawlessness.”
The declaration will allow President Duterte to security forces to implement sufficient measures to ensure public safety.
Mayor Duterte, who is pregnant with triplets, said Davao City will continue its usual activities, like the Roxas night market, and it will intensify all security measures to ensure the safety of the Davaoeños.
The mayor also reminded other officials to be bounded by their own duties in their own position as she will work according to her responsibilities.
“Please leave me in peace to do my job and I’ll leave you to focus on your own work,” she said. She also reminded the public to be vigilant as the terror threats continue.
Duterte also assured the families of the victims that the city government will assist with all their needs for hospitalization, burial and even day to day expenses.
City Traffic and Transportation Management Office Chief Rhodelio Poliquit also said that the night market will continue.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, the city conducted a memorial mass for all the victims of the explosion.
It was the second time Davao City suffered a terror attack after a similar bombing in 2003 at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal. The city’s airport, seaport and cathedrals also suffered an explosion before.
Already, the Department of National Defense has ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines to place all its commands 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,” said Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
“The Eastern Command in Davao City has been directed to assist the PNP in maintaining peace and order in Davao City and in the apprehension of the perpetrators. They will also aid in gathering intelligence information and in conducting investigations to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” Lorenzana said.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. While nobody has come up to own the act we can only assume that this was perpetrated by the terrorist group Abu Sayaff that has suffered heavy casualties in Jolo in the past weeks,” he added.
Lorenzana said the entire DND laments this unfortunate incident and extends its sympathy to those who were killed in the blast, and prays for those injured.
“We appeal to our citizens to remain calm but be alert and vigilant, and cooperate with our security forces,” he added.