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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the military and the militant group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amid the festive mood as crowds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“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. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are exploited by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Police Trace Activities

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

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

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracking cab rides to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are worried that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.