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It was the most frightening moment of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

“It will not occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but like other locals spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the probe into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, said 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.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Many of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and following cab rides to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent bias and polarization”.