Muslim Terror Attack in the Phillipines - 14 Dead, 71 Injured

[RealityUnfolding]

via CNN:

At least 12 people have been killed and 60 injured in an explosion at a night market in Davao City in the Philippines, an official told CNN Philippines.
Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, the director of Region 11 of the Philippine National Police, told CNN Philippines that 10 people had died at the scene, and two had died after being taken to the Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Ernesto Abella, spokesman for Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, announced the death toll late Friday night.

He said the situation was fluid, and a maximum deployment of police and armed forces had been called in to secure the region.
He asked the public to be vigilant, adding that the government was on the watch "in case there are other attacks."

He said Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte, whose hometown is Davao City, was heading to the explosion site. It occurred at a busy night market known to attract thousands, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao.
Paolo Duterte, Davao City's vice mayor and the President's son, told CNN Philippines that 60 people had been injured in the blast.

Authorities were still trying to confirm the cause of the explosion, he said. While the city was not on lockdown, there was an alcohol ban in place, and officials had asked people in the area to return to their homes.

Noel Vilanueva, medical director of Davao Doctors Hospitals, told CNN Philippines that four patients had been brought to the facility, one of whom required surgery for a leg injury. That patient had metal fragments in the wounds.

'I am really scared'
Leonor Rala, a 19-year-old medical technology student at San Pedro College, told CNN that she was in her dorm and about to go to bed when she heard an explosion.

She initially thought something had fallen on the roof of a neighboring building, then went down to survey the scene of the blast, about 100 yards from her dorm. Emergency teams were already in place.

"I am really scared to go out," she said. "The roads are closed and nobody's allowed to go out of the city. There are bomb threats everywhere and some of my schoolmates are victims of the explosion and now dead."
She continued: "We're very terrified because Davao City was known to be the safest city in the Philippines and a situation like this is very rare."
Witness Janoz Laquihon told CNN Philippines he was at the scene at the time of the blast.
"I saw some smoke. I thought it's just barbecue. A few minutes later...a big blast."

Witness Father Jboy Gonzales told CNN Philippines that he saw more than 30 casualties being loaded onto ambulances.
"[A] lot of people are wounded, shocked, traumatized," he said.
Davao City Government tweeted on its official account: "Let us pray for the victims of this unfortunate incident, especially for those who died."
Duterte, who took office at the end of June, made his name in politics as the mayor of Davao City. His term in office was noted for his hardline stance on drug crime that he has now incorporated into his national policies. It's resulted in more than 1,900 people being killed in a crackdown, which has drawn criticism at home and abroad.
Maria Ressa, executive editor of Philippines news website Rappler, said the blast had occurred amid tensions surrounding Duterte's war on drugs, as well as an ongoing peace process with Muslim militants in the southern Philippines. Philippines troops are trying to crush Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist militant group outside the peace process.

Davao City, on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, is the hometown of President Duterte. Duterte, who took office at the end of June, made his name in politics as the mayor of Davao City, taking a hardline stance on drug crime that he has now incorporated into his national policies.

Duterte, who took office at the end of June, made his name in politics as the mayor of Davao City. His term in office was noted for his hardline stance on drug crime that he has now incorporated into his national policies. It's resulted in more than 1,900 people being killed in a crackdown, which has drawn criticism at home and abroad.
Maria Ressa, executive editor of Philippines news website Rappler, said the blast had occurred amid tensions surrounding Duterte's war on drugs, as well as an ongoing peace process with Muslim militants in the southern Philippines. Philippines troops are trying to crush Abu Sayyaf, an Islamist militant group outside the peace process.

For those not in the know, the general idea is that Duterte is both adored and loathed. His crackdown on drug crimes has had anti-him people claiming he's killing kids just to take out drug lords, while people who were victims of drugs/drug crimes are praising him for getting streets cleaned up and safer.

All in the midst of some rising sleeper cells.

[LadyCPlum]

If it's not terrorism, I will literally be shocked

[RealityUnfolding]

Abu Sayyaf owns up to Davao blast, warns of more attacks via ABS-CBN

ZAMBOANGA CITY (1st UPDATE) - The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has claimed responsibility for the blast in Davao City which left 14 dead and more than 60 wounded on Friday evening.

ASG spokesperson Abu Rami said the Davao attack is a "call for unity to all mujahideen in the country" amid the all-out offensive of the military against the group.

Rami said that the attack in Davao City is not part of a tactic to divert the attention of government forces who have been pursuing the bandits in Sulu and Basilan.

He warned that similar attacks should be expected in the coming days.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier this week ordered intensified operations to finish off the 400-strong terror group, following the death of 15 soldiers in a clash in Patikul, Sulu.

After the explosion in Davao, Duterte also declared a "state of lawlessness," where he will "invite uniformed personnel to run the country."

The military and the Philippine National Police earlier dismissed circulating text messages about an imminent attack.

[RealityUnfolding]

Originally Posted by LadyCPlum

If it's not terrorism, I will literally be shocked

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Added photos and updated the title.

[rob666]

They've let it fester for years now, wtf did they think was going to happen? Time to clean it up.

[LadyCPlum]

Originally Posted by RealityUnfolding

Winner winner, chicken dinner.

Added photos and updated the title.

I *knew* Abu Sayyaf was involved. I think they're the most active cell in the Phillipines.

[kellyhound]

Aftermath, dead bodies here http://www.documentingreality.com/fo...ppines-167886/

[RealityUnfolding]

Originally Posted by LadyCPlum

I *knew* Abu Sayyaf was involved. I think they're the most active cell in the Phillipines.

I didn't know much about them. With so many cells all over the world, it's almost impossible to keep up with, but given the links throughout the story, it looks like they've been ramping up even more over the last year, when it comes to terrorism.

[commondenom]

muslims ruin everything

[Steve]

Originally Posted by commondenom

muslims ruin everything

All's not lost.