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It was the most frightening experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the 28-day 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 news, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, seeming mismatched against the festive mood as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their actions is active and the precise reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is simply a shame that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Piece Together Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid prejudice and division”.