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This was the most terrifying experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but like other citizens spoken to, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths sits in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the celebratory mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city long ruled by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.