Col. Erwin Neri assumes command of Task Force Davao

Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri on Thursday assumed command of Task Force Davao at a turnover ceremony in Davao City.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte chose Neri based on a shortlist submitted by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

JUST IN: Col. Erwin Neri, bagong commander ng Task Force Davao. | via Rick Banggat, RGMA Davao

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) September 8, 2016

Duterte had relieved former Task Force Davao commander Colonel Henry Robinson after an explosion rocked the city's night market last Friday, killing 14 people and injuring more than 70 others.

Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen Eduardo Año earlier said, "The basis of his relief [Robinson's] will actually be yung sa overall incident that happened in Davao. Siyempre you know merong namatay na 14, may wounded na 67 so somebody is responsible for that."

A report from Saleema Refran on Balitanghali said Duterte became emotional in her speech at the turnover ceremony.

Duterte said the blast was personal to her to the point that she considered resigning from her post, since this was her first bombing incident as mayor. The report quoted her as saying that she doesn't take death lightly.

Meanwhile, in a news conference, Duterte said she discussed with Neri the security adjustments in Davao City following the blast, which include assigning permanent security personnel at the Roxas Night Market.

"I told them to discuss what needs to be done in order to improve the security measures in the night market and I told them also to adjust, kung mas maraming tao, mas maraming nagbabantay," she said.

"But I told them also not to have a reaction na lahat na lang tao ilalagay sa night market wala ng tao sa ibang lugar," Duterte added.

On the other hand, Duterte said Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald Dela Rosa asked for more time to recommend a new Davao City Police chief.

"He is asking for more time and I'm giving him that. He has his reasons. I understand his reasons, okay lang," Duterte said. — Joseph Tristan Roxas/VVP/KBK, GMA News