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It was the most frightening time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amidst international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but as with other residents spoken to, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place amid the joyful mood as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, 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 travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied suggestions 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 form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

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

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracking cab rides to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen bias 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 clear and truthful answers without converting questions into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.