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It was the scariest moment of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of the attack on the media, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the celebratory environment as many people gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls 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 violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their actions is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that valid issues are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused 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 persist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

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

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.