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This was the most frightening time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt largely removed.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous against the celebratory mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s visit in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their food.

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

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

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

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid discrimination and polarization”.