AFP CLARIFICATION Only Mindanao in full alert, rest of PHL under heightened alert

From GMA News (Sep 3): AFP CLARIFICATION Only Mindanao in full alert, rest of PHL under heightened alert

The Armed Forces of the Philippines clarified Saturday morning that only the whole of Mindanao is under a full alert status and not the whole country, this after the deadly blast in Davao City Friday night that left at least 15 people dead.

DzBB's Manny Vargas quoted AFP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla as saying that only the whole of Mindanao is under full alert status because of the bandit Abu Sayyaf Group's threat, especially in Jolo, Sulu.

Padilla also said that military forces in the Visayas and Luzon are on heightened alert. He made the clarification for proper guidance of all the forces on the ground.

President Rodrigo Duterte early Saturday morning declared a "state of lawless violence" in the country hours after an explosion ripped through a popular night market in Davao City, and killed at least 15 people as of Saturday morning and hurt 60 others wounded.

"It's not martial law but I am inviting now the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the military and the police to run the country in accordance with my specifications," he added, noting that he will not be suspending the writ of habeas corpus.

Specifically, Duterte said he was allowing searches of motor vehicles at checkpoints.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/579992/news/nation/only-mindanao-in-full-alert-rest-of-phl-under-heightened-alert