Troubling Remembrances Return in Davao City as Officials Trace Bondi Shooting Alleged Attackers' Movements

This was the most frightening experience of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amidst the festive mood as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their trip is remains uncertain.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Trace Activities

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

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

Police say there are many places the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are analyzing security camera video and tracing cab rides to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what transpired.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.