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It was the most terrifying experience of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but like other locals spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive mood as many people gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls 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 travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the probe into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is simply regrettable that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city long ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

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

Police say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are examining security camera video and following taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and division”.