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This was the most terrifying moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the media, but like other residents interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the celebratory environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, 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 travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city long governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.