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This was the most frightening moment of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi City ensued.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but like other residents spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Festive Celebrations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the probe into their actions is active and the true reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has pushed back against claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

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

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into accusations against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and steer clear of bias and division”.