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That was the most frightening experience of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid 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 makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but like other residents surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous against the celebratory environment as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

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

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid bias and polarization”.