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It was the most frightening experience of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other residents spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amid the festive mood as many people gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair coincides with the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their actions is continuing and the true reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is simply unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could execute another terror attack in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Activities

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their food.

Officers are reviewing security camera video and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig commended local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid bias and polarization”.