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It was the scariest time of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but like other citizens spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the joyful atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the mostly 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.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and following taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Bias

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.