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That was the most frightening experience of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other residents surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched amid the festive environment as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting understanding and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.