🔗 Share this article

That was the most frightening time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place amidst the festive environment as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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 made clear the inquiry into their activities is active and the precise reason for their trip is remains uncertain.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

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

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.