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It was the scariest moment of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but as with other locals spoken to, felt largely removed.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the joyful environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls 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 travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style 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 piece together the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the area. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into accusations against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.