Killings, robberies, thefts, rapes, kidnappings, and even urban warfare between cops, soldiers, and communist guerillas; Davao City used to have all of that. Lawless would be the perfect word to describe the city in the 80s, and the foreign press even called it the “Murder Capital” of the Philippines. 

This is a far cry from what Davao City is today.  In 2016, Resurgent contributor, Aurelio A. Pena, – then a contributor of a newly established Resurgent magazine and FB page, tells a tale of a city disentangled from its dark roots. 

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Dead Davao cops were a sickening staple in the streets in the mid-1980s, as urban guerillas called “Sparrows” executed law enforcers on sight – even in broad daylight. 

Such were the deplorable living conditions in Davao during the remaining years of the strongman, Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

Due to the violence and lawlessness in the area, the city earned the notorious distinction as “Asia’s Murder City” by Asiaweek Magazine. The Agdao district, notorious for the numerous killings during those times, earned the moniker “Nicaragdao”, directly alluding to Nicaragua which was also experiencing a period of lawlessness at that time. 

This is a far cry from the Agdao in these current times, as it has become one of Davao City’s most peaceful districts. 

 

From Bloody and Lawless, to a Sense of Peace

For old-timers who have seen the city at its most despondent, it’s almost unbelievable how different the city is today. It’s all thanks to the former rough-talking mayor turned Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. He transformed Davao from a crime-ridden city into one of the country’s most liveable places; this is perhaps what catapulted him into national consciousness, leading to his win in the 2016 elections. 

Mayor Digong’s exploits – during his time as mayor and up to his days as Philippine president – have made him infamous. To say that his presidency is polarizing is an understatement; but going back to his time as mayor, Duterte’s methods in dealing with crime earned him the nickname “The Punisher” by Time Magazine, pushing him into the global limelight. 

Despite the allegations of a “Death Squad”, and all the ways Mayor Digong dealt with crime in the 80s, there was a sense of peace in the community for the first time in years. It seemed impossible to imagine Davao City as virtually crime-free, but there it was, all thanks to Mayor Digong. 

 

A City Changed and Revitalized

It was surprising for Davao residents to be able to invite visitors to take a good stroll around the city, believing that Davao is finally safe; safer than New York or whatever big city, where muggings and robberies are more likely to happen. 

Unlike in the past when urban guerrillas or criminals terrorized them with impunity, now, Davao cops are the country’s most professional law enforcers, getting the most national awards for “best police force” in the country.

 Back in the 80’s, traffic was insane and there was no discipline on the roads. But today, this booming southern city boasts of having one of the country’s most progressive traffic systems and a palpable sense of order from the streets.

 This, among many other things, makes Davao a favorite venue for national conventions, conferences, and trade exhibitions, because the city has finally come around, completely shedding its mid-eighties notoriety. 

 

Fighting Against an Ongoing Stigma

 The chaos and anarchy in the 80s is a sharp contrast to what Davao City is today. And yet, there still exists a stigma of a “war-torn” Mindanao in this day and age, where Davao still bears the brunt. 

Headlines of feuds between revels and the Philippine army are a tourism promoter’s nightmare. It scares off tourists and travelers. Sometimes, stories like these are sadly overplayed, giving the wrong impression that the entire island of Mindanao is at war. 

This couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

Just look at the ever-increasing flow of foreigners into the city for work, investments, or just vacation, or even choosing to settle down and retire in Davao. This dispels false reports that our peaceful city is battle-torn. 

In fact, Asiaweek’s tone is a complete 180 from the ’80s, including Davao in a story of “Asia’s most liveable cities”. 

 

Death Don’t Live Here, Anymore

What makes Davao truly unique and memorable, I believe, are the friendly, courteous, hospitable, and genuinely helpful residents that you can’t find in many big cities.

I invite the uninitiated to walk our streets, taste our traditional food, make friends, and feel the pulse of our peaceful life here in Davao. I promise you, it’s nearly impossible not to fall in love with this city, like so many others who come to visit again and again.