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This was the scariest time of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other locals interviewed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the celebratory environment as many people gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the investigation into their activities is active and the exact reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

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

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.