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This was the scariest moment of his existence. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The IS attack killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the army and the extremist group in the city of Marawi ensued.

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

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a masseur at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, appearing out of place amid the festive environment as hundreds flocked there for meals, massages and goods.

Active Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Investigations into the visit to the country of the duo is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, 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 extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is as yet unclear.

“It is simply regrettable that real concerns are hijacked by extremism. Sadly, the story of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Security History

Lorenzo is also assured that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both notable and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Movements

What is clear, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the father and son's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several locations the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by popular fast food chain, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are reviewing surveillance tapes and following cab rides to establish their movements, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] visit should be properly investigated and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and political factors that drive the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.