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This was the scariest moment of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory mood as crowds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback 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. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.