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This was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous against the joyful environment as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

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

“It is regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

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

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid prejudice and division”.