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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a section of the night market, looking mismatched against the festive mood as hundreds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and prevent prejudice and division”.