🔗 Share this article

This was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the military and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other locals surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and following transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and polarization”.