(VOVworld) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte proclaimed a state of national emergency for the Philippines on Monday on account of lawless violence. Being the commander-in-chief, Duterte can call out the military, command the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippines National Police (PNP) to take measures permitted by the constitution and laws to prevent lawless violence nationwide.

Philippine soldiers at the crime scene of bomb attack in Davao City (Photo: AFP)

Last Friday, at least fourteen people were killed and 70 others were injured in a bomb attack in Davao City. Duterte called it an act of terrorism, naming Islamic militant groups and drug lords as potential culprits.