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It was the most terrifying moment of his existence. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy siege between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, amid global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the media, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amid the celebratory environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their actions is continuing and the exact reason for their stay is still unclear.

“It is just unfortunate that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could execute another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and controversial – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and weakened.

Police Trace Whereabouts

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

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's visit in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing security camera video and tracing transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that fuel the impulses behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.