Following the September 2 bombing in Davao City that killed 14 people in the city 's central business district , on September 3 , 2016 , Duterte declared a " state of lawlessness " , and on the following day signed a declaration of a " state of national emergency on account of lawless violence in Mindanao " . The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police were ordered to " suppress all forms of lawless violence in Mindanao " and to " prevent lawless violence from spreading and escalating elsewhere " . Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said that the declaration " does not specify the imposition of curfews " , and would remain in force indefinitely . He explained : " The recent incidents , the escape of terrorists from prisons , the beheadings , then eventually what happened in Davao . That was the basis . " The state of emergency has been seen as an attempt by Duterte to " enhance his already strong hold on power , and give him carte blanche to impose further measures " in the Drug War
September 2 bombing in Davao City
2016 Davao City bombing
Philippine Drug War