Worrying Recollections Resurface in Davao City as Officials Trace Bondi Attack Alleged Attackers' Time in the City

This was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the celebratory environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still unclear.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what transpired.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and division”.