Duterte to push through with ASEAN trips after Davao blast, top aides say

President Rodrigo Duterte is pushing through with his trip to three southeast Asian countries over the coming week, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said early Saturday morning.

GMA News' Joseph Morong posted Andanar's announcement on Twitter after an explosion rocked the Davao City night market on Friday night. The blast killed at least 12 persons and wounding dozens.

Duterte's top aide, Christopher "Bong" Go, confirmed to GMA News Online that the trips to Brunei, Laos, and Indonesia will push through as scheduled.

The President is scheduled to be in Brunei on September 4 and 5, Laos on September 6 to 8, and Indonesia on September 8 and 9.

Duterte was in Davao City for the weekend when the incident happened.

The authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion but checkpoints have been set up around the city. -Trisha Macas/NB, GMA News