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It was the most frightening moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the militant group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the country's major cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the television, but like other residents interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the joyful mood as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Record

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's presence in the country as they piece together the actions of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are many places the two could have visited or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and prevent discrimination and polarization”.