🔗 Share this article

This was the most terrifying time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other residents surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amid the joyful environment as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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. The government have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has denied 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 local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Activities

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

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent bias and sectarianism”.