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That was the scariest time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive mood as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Police say there are many establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracing transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.