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This was the scariest experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the probe into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.