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That was the most frightening moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other residents surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their activities is active and the precise reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member 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 clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.