🔗 Share this article

It was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other citizens spoken to, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, looking out of place against the festive atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and infamous – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracking cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that drive the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid discrimination and division”.