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That was the most terrifying experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but as with other locals spoken to, felt largely detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, looking out of place against the joyful atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback 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. Officials have stated the investigation into their activities is active and the true reason for their visit is still unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city long administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.