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That was the most frightening moment of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a part of the night market, looking out of place amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Authorities say there are many places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the area. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being considered.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.