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This was the scariest experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's stay in the country as they map out the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.