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That was the most terrifying experience of his existence. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a blast at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS assault killed 15, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It won’t take place again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Nine years later, the shadow of IS again looms over one of the nation's key cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other locals spoken to, felt largely disconnected.

The 2016 bombing is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A memorial for the 2016 deaths is placed in a corner of the night market, looking incongruous amid the festive environment as crowds flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Current Investigations Amid Festive Preparations

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, shopping centers are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the true reason for their trip is remains unknown.

“It is unfortunate that real concerns are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the story of extreme conflict was unfairly glued to the island's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally certain that nobody could execute another act of terror in the city historically governed by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups remain present, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Police Piece Together Whereabouts

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor underwent combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the father and son's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have frequented or met contacts in the area. Scores of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a nearby popular fast food chain, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their movements, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be properly investigated and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into blame against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended civic actions in strengthening the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the unrest while “continue pushing for understanding and avoid prejudice and polarization”.