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That was the scariest time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a part of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the joyful mood as many people flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are examining CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives 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 socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.