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This was the most terrifying time of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of the attack on the media, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amidst the festive atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me 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. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

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

Police Trace Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.