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This was the most frightening moment of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous amid the joyful environment as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracking transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.