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This was the most terrifying moment of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but like other citizens surveyed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“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. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

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

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and division”.