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This was the most frightening time of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but like other locals spoken to, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the joyful environment as hundreds came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.