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This was the scariest experience of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other locals interviewed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 deaths sits in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous against the festive atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall 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 tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.