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It was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the celebratory environment as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their activities is active and the true reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

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

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracing transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent prejudice and division”.