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It was the scariest time of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi City came after.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but as with other residents spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched against the celebratory environment as many people came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their visit is still unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are co-opted by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time ruled by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was established by heavily policing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

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

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many establishments the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that every scenario are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.