Worrying Remembrances Return in Davao City as Officials Piece Together Bondi Beach Attack Suspects’ Activities

It was the most frightening moment of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their stay is still unknown.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Activities

What is clear, 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 “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

Manlupig lauded 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 tackle root causes and political factors that drive the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.