Bato: Suspects used improvised bomb in Davao blast

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed Saturday night that the bombing which took 14 lives and injured 67 at a night market in Davao City was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).

READ: At least 14 killed, 67 others hurt in Davao blast

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa, in a press conference at the Police Regional Office 11, said components of IED found at the blast site were confirmed by the Special Investigative Task Group (SITG) formed to probe the incident.

Initial reports showed that the bomb was fashioned from a mortar ammunition.

The Davao police are now hot on trail of four "persons of interest," two men and two women, believed to be behind the deadly bombing on Roxas Avenue in Davao City on Friday night.

Dela Rosa refused to give further details, saying they are yet to release to the public the cartographic sketch of the suspects. 

While the Abu Sayyaf Group has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, authorities said the  "act of owning the explosion" is something they expect from the group. 

The authorities said that they are still verifying whether the bombing was indeed perpetrated by the Abu Sayyaf and are not discounting any factors which could give light to what happened.

READ: Abu Sayyaf claim on Davao blast cannot be confirmed yet, authorities say

The PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, meanwhile, have placed the entire forces on a nationwide full alert status.