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It was the most frightening moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the joyful mood as hundreds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the inquiry into their activities is active and the exact reason for their visit is remains unknown.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

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

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent prejudice and division”.