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That was the most frightening time of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other residents interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the joyful atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, 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 sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and following cab rides to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.