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That was the most frightening experience of his life. Back in 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike claimed 15 lives, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the military and the militant group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the nation's largest cities, amidst global attention over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of Bondi on the media, but like other locals surveyed, felt largely detached.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is trying to move on from. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a section of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory mood as hundreds came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Current Investigations Amid Christmas Preparations

Examinations of the time in the Philippines of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s government center has been lit up by a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is continuing and the true reason for their trip is as yet unknown.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by radicalism. Regrettably, the narrative of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s identity,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety History

Lorenzo is additionally confident that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city long governed by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and infamous – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand searching bags.

The Philippine government has rejected claims that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and disenfranchisement that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, authorities say they are small and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two did not leave the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have frequented or had meetings in the vicinity. Many of establishments sit between the GV Hotel and a close by Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Detectives are examining surveillance tapes and following taxi trips to piece together their movements, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Worries in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with extremist groups in 2017, inhabitants are concerned that fresh terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

“[The Akrams’] visit should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide accurate and honest answers without transforming doubt into accusations against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that extremism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle socioeconomic factors and governance challenges that drive the reasons behind the violence while “keep advocating for understanding and prevent discrimination and division”.