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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

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

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the festive environment as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors 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. The government have stated the investigation into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unknown.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the reputation of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement 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 four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to piece together their itinerary, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid discrimination and division”.