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This was the scariest time of his life. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, during international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the media, but like other residents surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, looking out of place amidst the festive environment as hundreds gathered there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the father and son coincides with the mostly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city long administered by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are small and diminished.

Police Trace Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's visit in the country as they piece together the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several places the two could have visited or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracking transport records to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what took place.

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

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and avoid discrimination and division”.