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It was the most frightening time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other locals spoken to, felt largely detached.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the celebratory environment as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Authorities say there are many places the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and following cab rides to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.