🔗 Share this article

It was the scariest experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the joyful mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and following transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.