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That was the scariest time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the army and the militant group in Marawi City ensued.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the television, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive environment as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers 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 tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city long ruled by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they map out the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

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

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid discrimination and division”.