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It was the most terrifying moment of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ major cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive atmosphere as many people came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the father and son is happening while the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with 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 violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the inquiry into their actions is active and the precise reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could execute another act of terror in the city historically governed by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous establishments the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracking transport records to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent bias and sectarianism”.