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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.