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It was the scariest experience of his existence. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five metres away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the militant group in Marawi ensued.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the nation's key cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a masseur at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the television, but as with other residents spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched amidst the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a large 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 travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have made clear the probe into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is still unknown.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was forged through heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The national government has denied claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are limited in size and degraded.

Authorities Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have frequented or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are anxious that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” he said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront economic and social issues and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting acceptance and avoid prejudice and polarization”.