Troubling Memories Return in Davao City as Authorities Trace Bondi Shooting Suspects’ Movements

It was the most frightening moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but as with other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the festive mood as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

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

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, stated 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.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

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

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.