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It was the most terrifying experience of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but similar to other citizens interviewed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city historically administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, 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 “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son 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. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.