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It was the most terrifying time of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but as with other residents interviewed, felt predominantly disconnected.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the joyful environment as many people gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is still unknown.

“It is a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they map out the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and prevent bias and division”.