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That was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the festive mood as many people gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is still unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could execute another terror attack in the city long governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they map out the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracing transport records to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and polarization”.