Disturbing Remembrances Return in Davao City as Officials Piece Together Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects’ Time in the City

That was the scariest experience of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory environment as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

Trust in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are examining security camera video and following taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent discrimination and sectarianism”.