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It was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the army and the militant group in Marawi City ensued.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long 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, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but like other residents interviewed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, looking out of place against the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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 emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history 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 weakened.

Police Trace Activities

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

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and following cab rides to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “continue pushing for acceptance and prevent discrimination and division”.