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It was the most frightening moment of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amid global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the joyful mood as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation 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 sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of unrest and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are reviewing surveillance tapes and following cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that drive the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of bias and polarization”.