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This was the most terrifying experience of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the festive environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is remains unknown.

“It is just regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Sadly, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Piece Together Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they piece together the movements of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracking cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent discrimination and division”.