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It was the most terrifying moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous against the celebratory environment as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, 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 tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, 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 visit in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.