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It was the scariest moment of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall 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 travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their trip is still unknown.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and following transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.