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It was the most terrifying moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched against the festive environment as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is active and the precise reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

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

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid discrimination and division”.