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That was the scariest experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the festive mood as many people flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is still unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's stay in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are examining CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.