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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a part of the night market, looking mismatched against the celebratory mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me 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. The government have stated the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is simply a shame that real concerns are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.