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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amidst global attention over the four-week 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 the attack on the media, but like other citizens surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, seeming mismatched against the festive environment as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“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 stated the probe into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Many of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of bias and division”.