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This was the most frightening experience of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the festive environment as many people gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me 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 made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid prejudice and division”.