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This was the scariest time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amid the celebratory mood as crowds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the probe into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

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

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are examining security camera video and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent bias and polarization”.