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This was the most terrifying time of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but like other locals spoken to, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, looking out of place amidst the joyful mood as many people came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is evident, 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.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance tapes and following transport records to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.