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It was the scariest moment of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A five-month conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, amid worldwide focus over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the television, but like other citizens interviewed, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims stands in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched against the joyful atmosphere as crowds gathered there for food, massages and goods.

Current Inquiries Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“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 stated the probe into their actions is active and the exact reason for their stay is remains unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, executive director of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that no one could carry out another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and diminished.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Police say there are many places the two could have visited or met contacts in the area. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were known to buy their food.

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

Fears in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intelligence should provide clear and truthful answers without transforming doubt into accusations against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended local initiatives in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the impulses behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.