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This was the most frightening moment of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The Islamic State assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A five-month conflict between the military and the extremist group in Marawi ensued.

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

Years later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's largest cities, during international scrutiny over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of Bondi on the news, but similar to other residents spoken to, felt predominantly detached.

The 2016 blast is a traumatic event he is working to forget. A memorial for the 2016 victims is placed in a section of the night market, appearing out of place amidst the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the time in the Philippines of the pair is happening while the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have made clear the inquiry into their activities is continuing and the exact reason for their trip is as yet uncertain.

“It is just a shame that real concerns are hijacked by radicalism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was wrongly attached to the region's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is also certain that no one could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was established by aggressively securitising Davao through tough law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has pushed back against allegations that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Activities

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

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

Investigators say there are many locations the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Many of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a close by restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking transport records to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to increased security measures and increase bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into finger-pointing against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that extremism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that fuel the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and division”.