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That was the scariest moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week 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 media, but as with other locals interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous against the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received weapons 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 map out the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and following taxi trips to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.