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That was the scariest time of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place against the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the probe into their actions is active and the precise reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Movements

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid discrimination and division”.