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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 night market in Davao City. The IS strike killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City followed.

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

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths sits in a section of the night market, looking incongruous against the celebratory mood as crowds flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls 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 tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their visit is remains unknown.

“It is regrettable that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could execute another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough law and order and drug war campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

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

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

Detectives are analyzing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.