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This was the scariest moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amid international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive mood as hundreds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city long governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

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

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid bias and polarization”.