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That was the most frightening experience of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid 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, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other locals surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, looking out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door 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, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their stay is still unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.