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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The IS assault claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the army and the militant group in Marawi came after.

“It won’t occur again in Davao,” Pendon asserts.

Nine years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's key cities, amid global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the media, but as with other locals surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a part of the night market, appearing out of place against the celebratory mood as many people came there for meals, massages and goods.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair is happening while the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the investigation into their actions is active and the true reason for their visit is remains unclear.

“It is just a shame that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was unfairly glued to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that no one could perpetrate another terror attack in the city historically administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against suggestions that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Police Piece Together Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are many places the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Dozens of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a nearby restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Police are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracing cab rides to establish their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are anxious that new terrorist labels could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen bias against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.