🔗 Share this article

It was the scariest time of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the television, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amidst the joyful mood as many people came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and following cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.