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That was the scariest time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the celebratory environment as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their actions is active and the true reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Piece Together Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

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

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.