🔗 Share this article

It was the most frightening experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place amid the joyful environment as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their actions is active and the true reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and following transport records to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent bias and polarization”.