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This was the scariest moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged 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 television, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the celebratory mood as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city long ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and following cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what happened.

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

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid bias and division”.