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This was the scariest moment of his existence. Back in the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, amidst worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the television, but as with other locals interviewed, felt largely detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched against the joyful environment as many people gathered there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Active Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“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. The government have stated the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city historically governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, experts say they are small and weakened.

Investigators Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with IS-linked militants in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the information should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.