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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the television, but as with other locals spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive mood as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door 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 investigation into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracing transport records to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid bias and division”.