MANILA - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been placed on a nationwide full alert status after an explosive incident killed at least 14 and injured 67 others in Davao City Friday evening.

READ: Davao blast death toll rises to 14; 67 others hurt

PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa has instructed all regional directors to intensify police visibility and security in their respective jurisdictions.

"We are doing everything to maintain normalcy in the entire country," Dela Rosa said.

"We are encouraging the public not to cower over the incident as their final objective is really to terrorize the people."

The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has owned up to the blast and warned of more attacks.

READ: Abu Sayyaf owns up to Davao blast, warns of more attacks

However, the PNP said they are still verifying if the explosion was indeed perpetrated by the ASG as authorities are not discounting the possibility that other groups might be riding on the issue.