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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's key cities, amid international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but like other citizens interviewed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the festive environment as crowds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the inquiry into their actions is continuing and the precise reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could execute another act of terror in the city historically governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Trace Activities

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

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's visit in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the father and son 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 outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism 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 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 finger-pointing against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent bias and division”.