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It was the scariest time of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amid the festive mood as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, 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 terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid discrimination and polarization”.