At least 14 people died in a bomb attack in Davao City of Philippines, and a "state of lawlessness" was declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.

About 71 people were reported injured in the bombing. The police was called in at the market area near Roxas Street where the attack took place.

Some 15 people were in critical condition, including a pregnant woman.

"Initial investigations show they found shrapnel from a mortar-based improvised explosive device," Martin Andanar, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, told DZMM radio.

Duterte allowed the police to undertake a thorough search of cars and frisking of people at checkpoints.

"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," the President said.

Davao is the hometown of Duterte, and the bomb went off in an area which frequented by the president, according to BBC News.

At the time of the blast, the president was in the town about 7.5 miles from the location of the attack.

The government had launched an offensive against a militant group called Abu Sayyaf a few weeks ago, which is claiming responsibility for the attack, but authorities are also investigating the involvement of drug mafia.

Last week, the Abu Sayyaf militants beheaded a villager who was kidnapped by them, after which the ongoing military offensive against the group was intensified. About 30 terrorists were killed in the ensuing battle.

Davon was on high alert in the aftermath of the army and militant group scuffle. But, yet the authorities did not rule out a hand of drug syndicate in the attack.

"We're trying to cope up with a crisis now. There is a crisis in this country involving drugs, extrajudicial killings and there seems to be an environment of lawless violence," said Duterte.

Eliminating crime, corruption, and drug use were some of the promises made by the president when he took power in Philippines.

About 2,400 people have died in war on drugs in the last two months since Duterte became president.

Ned Price, National Security Council spokesperson, released a statement condemning the attack and expressing condolences to the families of the victims.

"The United States offers deep condolences to the families and other loved ones of the victims of the explosion in the Philippines' Davao City, and Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured," he said.

The US has also offered to provide assistance in probing the attack.