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That was the most terrifying experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of the attack on the television, but like other locals spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive mood as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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. Officials have emphasized the probe into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is a shame that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.