Philippines: Deadly bomb attack in the home city of President Rodrigo Duterte kills 14

At least 14 people are killed in a bomb attack in the home city of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Dozens more were wounded in the explosion at a filled marketplace in the southern city of Davao.

Police in the capital Manila are on high alert following the fatal blast.

At least 60 people were injured and 30 were taken to hospital.

The explosion took place outside the Marco Polo hotel within an area often visited by Mr Duterte, who was in Davao at the time but wasn’t hurt.

Images released show plastic chairs and broken glass scattered at the scene, which includes since been cordoned off by police bomb experts and investigators.

Mr Duterte has declared a “state of lawlessness” following the event, which he said would enable troops to be deployed in cities and assist authorities with checkpoints.

He said: “These are extraordinary times and I assumed that I am authorised to permit the security forces of the state to do searches.”

The president said authorities are considering the possibility that drug syndicates were behind it, although a spokesman for the militant group Abu Sayyaf has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The area has been under a heightened security alert in recent weeks as a result of a military offensive against Abu Sayyaf.

Regional police chief Manuel Guerlan said a ring of checkpoints were set around the exit points of the city.

“A thorough investigation has been conducted to ascertain the reason behind the explosion,” he said. “We call on all the people to be alert at all times.”

On Monday at least 12 soldiers from the Philippines were killed during heavy fighting with militants since President Duterte was elected in May in what was the most deadly day for Philippine troops.