🔗 Share this article

This was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched against the festive mood as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, 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 travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the investigation into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid prejudice and division”.