Disturbing Memories Return in Davao as Investigators Track Bondi Beach Shooting Alleged Attackers' Time in the City

It was the most terrifying moment of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amidst worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the media, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the joyful environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, 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 sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is still unknown.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city long ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

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

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and division”.