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That was the scariest time of his life. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the country's key cities, amidst global attention over the four-week 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, saw news of the attack on the news, but as with other residents interviewed, felt largely removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, appearing mismatched against the celebratory atmosphere as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have made clear the inquiry into their activities is active and the precise reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Sadly, the reputation of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the region's character,” stated Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city historically governed by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was forged through tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against claims that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are small and diminished.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor received combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have visited or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and following transport records to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address root causes and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “keep advocating for understanding and steer clear of prejudice and division”.