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This was the most terrifying experience of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous against the joyful mood as many people gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised 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. The government have made clear the probe into their actions is active and the exact reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting understanding and steer clear of prejudice and division”.