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That was the scariest time of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but as with other locals surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the joyful environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and polarization”.