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This was the most frightening moment of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's major cities, during global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other locals spoken to, felt largely removed.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous against the joyful environment as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are co-opted by extremism. Unfortunately, the story of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Piece Together Movements

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

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they map out the actions of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the area. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious 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 establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and avoid discrimination and polarization”.