Disturbing Memories Resurface in Davao City as Officials Piece Together Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects’ Time in the City

This was the most terrifying moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the festive mood as crowds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

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

Confidence in Security History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

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

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.