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That was the scariest moment of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is a shame that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a local Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and avoid discrimination and division”.