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This was the scariest time of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

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

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the celebratory mood as hundreds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that drive the impulses behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.