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It was the scariest time of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the festive environment as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall 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 sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied 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 form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they piece together the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.