Troubling Remembrances Return in Davao City as Officials Piece Together Bondi Beach Shooting Alleged Attackers' Activities

This was the most frightening moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi City followed.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt largely removed.

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous amid the festive mood as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback 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. The government have stated the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid bias and sectarianism”.