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That was the scariest moment of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, 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 similar to other locals spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the festive mood as crowds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, 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 travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city historically administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war 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 hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

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

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.