🔗 Share this article

This was the most terrifying experience of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

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

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the probe into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are reviewing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid discrimination and polarization”.