According to the Presidential Communications Office, the proclamation technically took effect since September 5 and remains in force until lifted by the President.

As the commander-in-chief, President Duterte can call out the military and commands the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippines National Police (PNP) to undertake measures permitted by the constitution and laws in order to suppress all forms of violence in Mindanao and prevent violence from spreading elsewhere across the country.

On September 2, a bomb blast ripped off a night market in Davao city, Mindanao, leaving at least 14 people dead and 70 others injured.

Mayor of Davao city Sara Duterte on September 3 accused the Abu Sayyaf, a notorious group of Islamic militants, of the bomb attack.