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This was the most terrifying moment of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amid 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 makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, looking out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Investigators Trace Activities

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

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

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

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

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent bias and division”.