Worrying Memories Reemerge in Davao City as Investigators Piece Together Bondi Beach Attack Alleged Attackers' Movements

That was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, during global attention over the month-long 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 the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the joyful environment as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is active and the precise reason for their visit is still unclear.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city long ruled by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and following cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what took place.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.