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That was the most frightening experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the attack on the media, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and following transport records to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and division”.