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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other citizens spoken to, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amid the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback 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. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

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

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and avoid bias and sectarianism”.