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This was the most terrifying moment of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, amid worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, heard about the attack on the television, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, appearing mismatched amid the celebratory atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the visit to the country of the pair comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and degraded.

Police Trace Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Investigators say there are several places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Scores of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are worried that renewed associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the unrest while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of discrimination and division”.