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That was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their visit is as yet unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could execute another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Police Trace Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Authorities say there are several places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracing taxi trips to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.