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That was the scariest time of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amid the joyful mood as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the inquiry into their activities is active and the exact reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is a shame that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Police say there are many places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the area. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and following taxi trips to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

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

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the impulses behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and prevent prejudice and polarization”.