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This was the scariest experience of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but like other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths sits in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the joyful mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could execute another act of terror in the city long ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

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

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent bias and division”.