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It was the most terrifying moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amidst worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amid the festive environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the probe into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city long governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent discrimination and sectarianism”.