🔗 Share this article

That was the scariest time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is a shame that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Activities

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

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

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.