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This was the scariest experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched amid the joyful environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the investigation into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is still unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against allegations that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracing taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.