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That was the most frightening experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched amidst the festive atmosphere as many people came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers 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 complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Movements

What is certain, stated 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 visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and following transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of bias and division”.