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It was the most frightening time of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths sits in a section of the night market, looking out of place amid the celebratory environment as hundreds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers 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 tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.