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That was the most frightening time of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

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

The 2016 blast is a bad memory he is working to forget. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, seeming out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as many people flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, 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 violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the inquiry into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are exploited by radicalism. Sadly, the narrative of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Many of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are worried that fresh associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and sectarianism”.