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It was the most frightening time of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but like other locals spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Record

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

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

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent discrimination and sectarianism”.