🔗 Share this article

This was the scariest time of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched against the joyful atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent bias and division”.