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This was the scariest experience of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched against the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, 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 terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the investigation into their actions is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Police say there are several establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of bias and division”.