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It was the most frightening moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the army and the extremist group in Marawi City ensued.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nearly a decade later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's largest cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about the attack on the news, but similar to other citizens surveyed, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, seeming out of place amid the joyful atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Active Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the probe into their activities is ongoing and the precise reason for their stay is remains unknown.

“It is a shame that valid issues 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 Record

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long ruled by the family of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The authorities has rejected allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's stay in the country as they piece together the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the neighborhood. Many of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and following cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being considered.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are worried that new accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must establish what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide accurate and honest answers without turning uncertainty into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised civic actions in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “persist in promoting tolerance and steer clear of prejudice and division”.