The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is now on high alert following the deadly blast in Davao City聽on Friday聽night.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana ordered the AFP to be on high alert especially in urban聽areas.
鈥淚 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,鈥� Lorenzana said in a statement聽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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鈥淭hey will also aid in gathering intelligence information and in conducting investigations to get to the bottom of this unfortunate incident,鈥� he said.
The defense chief lamented the 鈥渦nfortunate incident鈥� and said the AFP was 鈥渃losely monitoring the situation.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e appeal to our citizens to remain calm but alert and vigilant, and cooperate with our security forces,鈥� he added.
In a separate statement, the AFP assured that it will help the local police in Davao City to 鈥渞estore normalcy鈥� in the city as it condoled with the victims of the explosion.
鈥淭he focus of the AFP鈥檚 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,鈥� AFP said.
The AFP said their Chief of Staff General Ricardo Visaya has ordered its personnel 鈥渢o be vigilant and ready for any eventuality.鈥�
鈥淭he AFP is prepared to undertake聽 any task that will be issued in regard to the declaration of 鈥渟tate of lawlessness鈥� by the Commander in Chief President Rodrigo Duterte,鈥� AFP said. CDG
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