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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, looking out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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 investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is a shame that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and polarization”.