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It was the most terrifying experience of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

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

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place amidst the joyful mood as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me 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 probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could perpetrate 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 established by tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained military-style 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 piece together the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent discrimination and sectarianism”.