🔗 Share this article

It was the scariest experience of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amid international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the joyful atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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 made clear the investigation into their activities is active and the true reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

What is evident, stated 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.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and division”.