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It was the most terrifying time of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the festive mood as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers 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 sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Movements

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

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and following taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in improving 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 governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent prejudice and division”.