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That was the scariest moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the military and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

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

Nine years later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, 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 television, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt mostly detached.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched amid the celebratory mood as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised 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 stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received 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 movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have gone to or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.