Disturbing Recollections Resurface in Davao City as Officials Piece Together Bondi Shooting Alleged Attackers' Activities

This was the most frightening experience of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched against the celebratory environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their actions is active and the true reason for their stay is still unknown.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and following transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid prejudice and division”.