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It was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the media, but as with other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 deaths stands in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the celebratory mood as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, 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 extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their activities is active and the true reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is unfortunate that legitimate grievances are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking 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 complicated background of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their food.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and polarization”.