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That was the scariest moment of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City came after.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but like other locals interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched against the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the area. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

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

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid bias and division”.