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This was the scariest experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the festive environment as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their activities is active and the exact reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.