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It was the scariest time of his life. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the country's key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected 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 news, but like other residents interviewed, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, seeming incongruous against the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the island's image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons 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.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to piece together their itinerary, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what happened.

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

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the impulses behind the violence while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.