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That was the most terrifying moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the militant group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amidst the joyful mood as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors 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. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and following cab rides to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.