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This was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but as with other locals interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, seeming out of place amid the festive mood as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.