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It was the most frightening time of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous amid the joyful mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is still unclear.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracking cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.