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It was the scariest moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was only five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State strike claimed 15 lives, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS once more hangs over one of the country's major cities, during worldwide focus over the four-week stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who works as a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the television, but similar to other residents surveyed, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous against the celebratory environment as hundreds came there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Active Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo coincides with the mostly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have stated the probe into their activities is ongoing and the true reason for their stay is as yet uncertain.

“It is simply unfortunate that legitimate grievances are co-opted by radicalism. Unfortunately, the reputation of savage attacks was unfairly glued to the island's image,” said Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally assured that nobody could carry out another terror attack in the city historically governed by the political machine of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was built on heavily policing Davao through hardline law and order and drug war initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand inspecting bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups still exist, security officials say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Law enforcement have said they are “not taking lightly” the duo's stay in the country as they piece together the actions of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or had meetings in the area. Scores of outlets sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Officers are analyzing surveillance tapes and tracking transport records to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are worried that new associations with terrorism could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must find out what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be carefully probed and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against its people or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig commended community efforts in improving the peace and order in Davao City but he said “it is not true that radicalism was eradicated”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the impulses behind the unrest while “persist in promoting tolerance and avoid prejudice and division”.