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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but like other locals surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the celebratory environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, 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 travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is active and the exact reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could execute another terror attack in the city long governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Trace Activities

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and following transport records to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent bias and division”.