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This was the scariest time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, looking out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent bias and division”.