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That was the most terrifying 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 IS assault killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, seeming out of place against the festive environment as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door 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 stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unclear.

“It is simply a shame that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city for a long time ruled by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

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

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to piece together their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and sectarianism”.