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That was the scariest moment of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the festive mood as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still unknown.

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

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

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

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent discrimination and sectarianism”.