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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place amidst the festive environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and following cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.