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It was the most terrifying moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 deaths sits in a part of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive mood as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's visit in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and following cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid bias and sectarianism”.