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This was the scariest experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other locals spoken to, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, looking out of place against the festive environment as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent bias and sectarianism”.