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It was the most frightening moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive atmosphere as hundreds came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by 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. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

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

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.