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It was the scariest experience of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls 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 tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance tapes and following transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that drive the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.