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It was the most frightening time of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive environment as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door 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, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and following taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, 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, inhabitants are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.