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It was the scariest time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ largest 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 is a a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but like other residents interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the joyful mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their visit is still unclear.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, 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 duo's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of discrimination and division”.