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It was the most terrifying experience of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but as with other locals surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched against the festive atmosphere as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“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 made clear the investigation into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Activities

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

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

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracing transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.