🔗 Share this article

This was the most terrifying time of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected claims 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 establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracking transport records to piece together their movements, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded 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 confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.