Troubling Remembrances Resurface in Davao as Authorities Piece Together Bondi Beach Attack Suspects’ Time in the City

That was the most terrifying time of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other locals interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the festive mood as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the investigation into their activities is continuing and the true reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat 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 reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to piece together their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.