There is an 80% probability that the deadly bombing that rocked Davao City Friday night was carried out by terrorists.
Presidential Communications Operations secretary Martin Andanar said this was the consensus when President Duterte gathered his Cabinet security cluster, the police and military officials two days after the bomb attack killed 15 people and at least 70 injured.
“In a scale of 1 to 100, we’re looking at 15 percent they (drug lords) are responsible for the bombings, 80 percent yung responsable yung terrorists o bandido, five percent yung maliliit na breakaway group. That’s what the President said during our meeting,” revealed Andanar through the government’s radio station.
Andanar said the police and military have been mobilized to suppress security threats but would need the cooperation of the public.
“These terrorists will always find a way to retaliate, of course yung ang trabaho nila to terrorize people and for us, the citizens, to ensure we are cowed by the terrorists, we continue with what we do,” said Andanar.
Among those present during the emergency meeting were Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Lt. General Ricardo Visaya, and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Ronald Bato dela Rosa.
The President earlier placed the country under a state of lawlessness, authorizing the military to help the police prevent terror and violence. The declaration will remain until the President decides on the safety of the people.
“We are facing a faceless enemy and the best way we can defeat terrorists is to get our act together as government as one people. Let’s watch each other’s back,” added Andanar. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)