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It was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the television, but as with other locals interviewed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place amidst the joyful mood as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall 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 terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.