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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, looking out of place against the celebratory environment as crowds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their stay is still unknown.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could execute another terror attack in the city historically governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.