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This was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amid international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming mismatched against the joyful mood as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“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. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their stay is as yet unknown.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and following transport records to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.