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This was the most frightening experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but like other locals surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched against the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“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. The government have made clear the investigation into their actions is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city historically administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid bias and division”.