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It was the most terrifying experience of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but similar to other citizens spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amid the celebratory atmosphere as many people came there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is remains uncertain.

“It is regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Trace Activities

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

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

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.