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It was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory mood as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls 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 tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the peace and order 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 political factors that fuel the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent bias and polarization”.