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That was the most terrifying time of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, amid worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a corner of the night market, looking mismatched against the festive mood as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the probe into their whereabouts is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is still uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and weakened.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, said 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.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or had meetings in the vicinity. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.