Key Takeaways:
- The city of Davao in the Philippines is on high alert after the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, spent four weeks in the city before carrying out the attack.
- Residents of Davao City are confident that the city’s hardline anti-crime policies have made another IS terror attack unlikely.
- The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that the country was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters.
- Security officials say that while IS-linked groups remain present in the country, they are small and weakened.
- The city is preparing for Christmas, with a towering Christmas tree at city hall and malls packed with shoppers.
Introduction to the Incident
The city of Davao in the Philippines is still reeling from the news that the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, spent four weeks in the city before carrying out the attack. For Gerry Pendon, a massage therapist at the night market, the news brought back memories of the 2016 bombing at the Roxas night market, which killed 15 people, including his brother-in-law. The bombing was carried out by the Islamic State, and it led to a five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City. Pendon, like many other residents, is trying to move on from the bad memories, but the presence of the Akrams in the city has raised concerns about the security situation.
Community Reaction
Despite the concerns, residents of Davao City are confident that the city’s hardline anti-crime policies, implemented by former president and mayor Rodrigo Duterte, have made another IS terror attack unlikely. Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market, said that she was surprised to see the Akrams in the news, but she believes that they were in the city for tourism, not terrorism. The city’s night market, where the 2016 bombing took place, is now a bustling hub of activity, with hundreds of people flocking to the area for food, massages, and trinkets. The city’s residents are confident that the security measures in place, including bag inspections and a strong police presence, will prevent any future attacks.
Government Response
The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that the country was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, said that the two men never left the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed. The government has also emphasized that while IS-linked groups remain present in the country, they are small and weakened. Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao, said that it is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism, and that the narrative of brutal violence has been unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity.
Investigation and Security Measures
Police are "not taking lightly" the presence of the Akrams in the country and are piecing together their activities during their four-week stay in Davao City. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and all possibilities are being entertained. The police are also inspecting the budget hotel where the Akrams stayed and are looking into their possible contacts in the area. The city’s security situation is being closely monitored, with dozens of establishments, including hotels and restaurants, being scrutinized for any potential links to the Akrams.
Concerns and Prejudice
In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims. Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said that the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened and provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people. The city’s residents are calling for tolerance and understanding, and for the government to address the socioeconomic and political factors that drive the motivations behind the violence.
Conclusion
The presence of the Akrams in Davao City has raised concerns about the security situation in the Philippines, but residents are confident that the city’s hardline anti-crime policies have made another IS terror attack unlikely. The government has pushed back against claims that the country was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters, and security officials say that while IS-linked groups remain present, they are small and weakened. As the city prepares for Christmas, the residents are calling for tolerance and understanding, and for the government to address the root causes of the violence. The investigation into the Akrams’ activities is ongoing, and the city’s security situation is being closely monitored to prevent any future attacks.