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It was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

“It will not take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amidst the festive environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city long ruled by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and steer clear of bias and polarization”.