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This was the most terrifying experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive environment as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. 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’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.