Troubling Remembrances Return in Davao City as Investigators Trace Bondi Beach Attack Suspects’ Time in the City

This was the scariest moment of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but like other residents spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, looking out of place against the joyful mood as crowds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unclear.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are examining security camera video and tracing transport records to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Fears in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.