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It was the most terrifying moment of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, learned of Bondi on the television, but like other residents interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the joyful environment as many people came there for food, massages and goods.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are co-opted by extremism. Regrettably, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Activities

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

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and division”.