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This was the scariest experience of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS attack killed 15, among them his brother-in-law. A lengthy battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

“It cannot happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's largest cities, amidst international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but like other citizens spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, looking mismatched amidst the joyful mood as many people came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Holiday Celebrations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo comes as the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their stay is as yet unclear.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both notable and infamous – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand inspecting bags.

The national government has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Reconstruct Movements

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's visit in the country as they piece together the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or met contacts in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Police are reviewing security camera video and following cab rides to piece together their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that new accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what happened.

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

Manlupig praised community efforts in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of discrimination and sectarianism”.