🔗 Share this article

That was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place against the festive atmosphere as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is simply a shame that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent prejudice and polarization”.