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This was the most terrifying experience of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

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

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, looking mismatched against the festive mood as many people gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me 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. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

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

Authorities say there are many places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent bias and polarization”.