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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. During September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS attack claimed 15 lives, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the army and the militant group in Marawi City came after.

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

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long 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, learned of Bondi on the news, but as with other citizens spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous against the festive environment as crowds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is preparing for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“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 stated the inquiry into their activities is active and the exact reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that valid issues are exploited by extremism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also confident that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was forged through aggressively securitising Davao through tough anti-crime and drug war initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four officers stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Reconstruct Movements

What is evident, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the father and son's presence in the country as they map out the activities of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have visited or had meetings in the area. Many of outlets sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining security camera video and tracking cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to heightened securitisation and deepen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intelligence should provide accurate and honest answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront root causes and governance challenges that motivate the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for acceptance and steer clear of prejudice and polarization”.