🔗 Share this article

This was the most frightening moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is a shame that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Many of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and following cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that new associations with terrorism 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 happened.

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

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent discrimination and division”.