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It was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms 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 massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming out of place against the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback 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 made clear the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for understanding and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.