🔗 Share this article

That was the scariest time of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other locals surveyed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the festive mood as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their activities is active and the true reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could execute another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are examining CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid prejudice and division”.