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That was the scariest time of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but like other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive atmosphere as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.