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That was the most frightening experience of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat 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 suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the festive mood as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers 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 travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are examining CCTV footage and following transport records to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

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

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.