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That was the scariest experience of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the festive mood as hundreds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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 terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city long governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Fears in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and sectarianism”.