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This was the scariest experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but as with other residents interviewed, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a part of the night market, seeming out of place amidst the celebratory mood as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by 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 tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement 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, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

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

Worries in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid bias and polarization”.