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That was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

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

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other residents interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths sits in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

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

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.