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It was the scariest moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their activities is active and the exact reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city long administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.