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This was the scariest moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the army and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched amidst the celebratory environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, 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 terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent bias and polarization”.