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It was the most terrifying experience of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but similar to other residents interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city historically administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and notorious – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's presence in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into blame against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and division”.