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That was the scariest time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, looking out of place amidst the festive mood as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.