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This was the most terrifying moment of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but as with other locals surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the joyful environment as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and following transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and prevent prejudice and division”.