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This was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city long governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation 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 Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and following transport records to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.