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That was the most terrifying experience of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the celebratory mood as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the investigation into their activities is continuing and the true reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could execute another terror attack in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Activities

What is certain, 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 initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay 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 several establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent bias and polarization”.