“Failure of intelligence” is how President Rodrigo Duterte describes the deadly blast at a crowded night market in his hometown Davao City.
“And [in] Davao you can … expect for the blast, which we expected because it was a retaliation thing. And to an extent, it was a failure of intelligence,” Duterte said in a speech at the 42nd Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Pasay City.
On Sept. 2, at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded after an explosion rocked the crowded night market on Roxas Boulevard.
Suspected terrorists involved in the bombing were arrested on Oct. 3.
The three suspects were identified as TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan and Musali Mustapha, members of the Maute Group. They were nabbed at a checkpoint onboard a motorcycle in Cotabato City.