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It was the most frightening time of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the army and the militant group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amid international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but as with other locals interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, seeming incongruous against the festive mood as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Probes Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has denied suggestions that it was a base for militant training for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Trace Movements

What is certain, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing transport records to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with IS-linked militants in 2017, residents are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in strengthening the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that motivate the reasons behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid prejudice and sectarianism”.