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That was the scariest experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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 made clear the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing security camera video and following taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid bias and division”.