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That was the most frightening moment of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other citizens surveyed, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous against the celebratory mood as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, 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 father and son's presence in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid bias and division”.