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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the army and the militant group in Marawi came after.

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

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

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the joyful mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is active and the true reason for their trip is still unclear.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Movements

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

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

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and following transport records to piece together their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid bias and division”.