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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the television, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amid the joyful atmosphere as hundreds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the true reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

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

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.