Troubling Recollections Return in Davao as Investigators Trace Bondi Attack Alleged Attackers' Activities

That was the scariest time of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but as with other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the celebratory mood as hundreds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me 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. Officials have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they map out the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and following taxi trips to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.