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It was the most frightening experience of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but as with other residents surveyed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback 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. The government have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically ruled by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the movements of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and following taxi trips to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid bias and division”.