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That was the most frightening experience of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's major cities, amid global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, 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 extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their activities is active and the exact reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracing transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent prejudice and division”.