Worrying Recollections Resurface in Davao City as Officials Track Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects’ Time in the City

This was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths sits in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the festive mood as crowds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is still unknown.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what transpired.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and polarization”.