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That was the most terrifying moment of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The IS assault killed 15, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged conflict between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi came after.

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

Nine years later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ largest cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the news, but as with other citizens surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 bombing is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths sits in a corner of the night market, appearing mismatched against the festive atmosphere as crowds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Celebrations

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the father and son comes as the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their trip is still uncertain.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are hijacked by terrorism. Regrettably, the reputation of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Policing Record

Lorenzo is also assured that nobody could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time administered by the political machine of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was established by heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Police Trace Whereabouts

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

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

Investigators say there are many establishments the two could have visited or connected with associates in the area. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by restaurant, where they were understood to buy their meals.

Detectives are reviewing security camera video and tracing taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Concerns in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, inhabitants are worried that renewed terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in enhancing the peace and order in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and political factors that drive the reasons behind the conflict while “keep advocating for acceptance and steer clear of bias and division”.