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This was the most frightening moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s visit in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.