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This was the most frightening time of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy conflict between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous against the celebratory atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

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

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.

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

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.