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This was the most terrifying time of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the joyful atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is as yet unknown.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's stay 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 several places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the impulses behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.