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That was the scariest moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but like other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the celebratory atmosphere as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by extremism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.