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That was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive environment as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, 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 travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid bias and polarization”.