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That was the most frightening experience of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy siege between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the media, but as with other residents interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the festive environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, 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 extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.