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It was the most frightening time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy conflict between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid 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, learned of the attack on the television, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched against the joyful atmosphere as hundreds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by 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 travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is active and the exact reason for their trip is remains uncertain.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Movements

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracing transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent discrimination and polarization”.