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It was the scariest experience of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amid the festive atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is active and the exact reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is simply regrettable that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Fears in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.