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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the military and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the celebratory environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback 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 emphasized the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Police say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Dozens of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and following cab rides to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.