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It was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the military and the militant group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during global attention 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 the attack on the media, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the celebratory mood as crowds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the father and son coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their activities is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could execute another terrorist strike in the city long ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the movements of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracing transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty 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 extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.