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This was the most frightening moment of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, seeming out of place against the festive atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is a shame that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

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

Police say there are many locations the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and following taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.