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It was the most frightening time of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi City ensued.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the news, but like other residents spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous against the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, 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 sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

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

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracing transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent discrimination and polarization”.