Philippine President Introduces State of Emergency After Davao Explosion

State of emergency in Philippines was introduced by the presidential decree, according to Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary for Policy and Legislative Affairs Christian Ablan.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — President of the Philippines Rodrigo Duterte has introduced a state of emergency in the country following the explosion in Davao city, Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary for Policy and Legislative Affairs Christian Ablan confirmed Monday.

"The state of national emergency shall remain in force until lifted or withdrawn by the President," Ablan was quoted as saying by the Philippine Information Agency.

The president's order for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to take measures allowed by the constitution is among key points of the emergency state proclamation, he added.

Over a dozen people were killed in an explosion last Friday in a night market in a southern commercial coastal town in the Philippines. Over 50 people were injured. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

On Saturday, the president placed the country on a lockdown, branding the Davao city explosion an act of terrorism.