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This was the most frightening experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but like other citizens surveyed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched against the joyful atmosphere as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Trace Movements

What is clear, commented 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.

Police 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 four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent bias and polarization”.