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This was the most terrifying time of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It won’t happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but like other locals surveyed, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amidst the joyful mood as many people came there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their actions is active and the precise reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could execute another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and controversial – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

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

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

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address root causes and political factors that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent bias and division”.