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That was the most terrifying time of his existence. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State assault left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged battle between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the shadow of IS reappears over one of the nation's major cities, amidst global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the attack on the television, but like other locals spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A monument for the 2016 fatalities stands in a section of the night market, looking mismatched amid the festive atmosphere as hundreds flocked there for food, massages and goods.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a large Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is active and the precise reason for their visit is as yet unknown.

“It is regrettable that legitimate grievances are co-opted by terrorism. Unfortunately, the narrative of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the region's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Safety Record

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel 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 conflict and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

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

Investigators say there are numerous establishments the two could have frequented or had meetings in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the their accommodation and a nearby restaurant, where they were reported to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and following transport records to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being considered.

Concerns in the Region Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are anxious that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

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

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.