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This was the most frightening moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other residents spoken to, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths sits in a corner of the night market, appearing incongruous amidst the festive environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is active and the true reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Police are reviewing security camera video and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent bias and division”.