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That was the most frightening time of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ major cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but like other locals spoken to, felt mostly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the festive environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, 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, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is a shame that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could execute another terror attack in the city historically ruled by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and degraded.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

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

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in the Region Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.