🔗 Share this article

That was the scariest experience of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the news, but like other locals surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, looking out of place against the joyful mood as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is active and the precise reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city long administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting 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 unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

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

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and following transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.