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That was the most frightening moment of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, amidst international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the joyful environment as crowds gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is active and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the story of brutal violence was wrongly attached to the region's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city long governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Reconstruct Whereabouts

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

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

Investigators say there are several places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Dozens of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are examining security camera video and tracking transport records to establish their movements, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.