This was the scariest experience of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.
“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.
Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.
Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt predominantly removed.
The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amidst the joyful atmosphere as hundreds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.
Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations
Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, 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 tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.
“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.
Trust in Policing History
Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.
The national government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and diminished.
Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts
What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.
Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.
Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.
Detectives are reviewing surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.
Worries in the Region Over Bias
In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.
Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.
“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.
Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.
