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That was the scariest moment of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but as with other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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. Officials have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long governed by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.