The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now on high alert following the deadly blast in Davao City on Friday night.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered the AFP to be on high alert especially in urban areas.
“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,” Lorenzana said in a statement on Saturday.
He said the Eastern Command in Davao City has been directed to assist the PNP in maintaining peace & order in Davao City and in the apprehension of the perpetrators.
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“They will also aid in gathering intelligence information and in conducting investigations to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,” he said.
The defense chief lamented the “unfortunate incident” and said the AFP was “closely monitoring the situation.
“The Department of National Defense laments this unfortunate incident. We extend our sympathy to those who were instantly killed in the blast, and pray for those who have been injured,” he said.
“We appeal to our citizens to remain calm but alert and vigilant, and cooperate with our security forces,” he added.
In a separate statement, the AFP assured that it will help the local police in Davao City to “restore normalcy” in the city as it condoled with the victims of the explosion.
“The focus of the AFP’s Eastern Mindanao Command that has Davao City under its area of responsibility is on helping the local police restore normalcy and secure the area and in assisting medical responders to attend to the victims,” AFP said.
The AFP said their Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya has ordered its personnel “to be vigilant and ready for any eventuality.”
“The AFP is prepared to undertake any task that will be issued in regard to the declaration of “state of lawlessness” by the Commander in Chief President Rodrigo Duterte,” AFP said. CDG