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That was the most terrifying moment of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but like other citizens spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, seeming out of place amid the celebratory atmosphere as many people gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unknown.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Police say there are numerous places the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are examining CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.