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It was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nine years 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 suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths sits in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched amid the celebratory environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is simply a shame that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.