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It was the most terrifying time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during global attention over the 28-day 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 massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory mood as many people gathered there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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 inquiry into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

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

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking cab rides to piece together their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into blame against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and avoid bias and sectarianism”.