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That was the scariest moment of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his wife's brother. A prolonged battle between the military and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other locals spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities is placed in a section of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their activities is ongoing and the exact reason for their visit is as yet uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to the island's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The national government has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Authorities Piece Together 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 earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several places the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing transport records to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting understanding and prevent discrimination and division”.