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This was the most frightening experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long 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, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other citizens interviewed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, looking out of place amidst the joyful mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their activities is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and following taxi trips to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.