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It was the scariest time of his life. Back in September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A lengthy battle between the army and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Years later, the threat of IS again looms over one of the Philippines’ key cities, during international scrutiny over the 28-day stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but like other locals spoken to, felt largely removed.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 deaths stands in a corner of the night market, seeming mismatched against the celebratory atmosphere as hundreds came there for food, massages and trinkets.

Current Inquiries Amid Holiday Cheer

Examinations of the visit to the country of the duo coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been decorated with a large Christmas tree, shopping centers are packed, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Authorities have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is active and the precise reason for their trip is remains unclear.

“It is simply a shame that valid issues are exploited by terrorism. Regrettably, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's identity,” said Karlos Manlupig, executive director of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing Legacy

Lorenzo is additionally confident that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time ruled by the family of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both famous and controversial – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug policies. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four personnel stand checking bags.

The Philippine government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the suspected Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of unrest and disenfranchisement that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and weakened.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's stay in the country as they reconstruct the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several places the two could have visited or had meetings in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were understood to buy their food.

Police are analyzing CCTV footage and tracing cab rides to reconstruct their itinerary, and that any potential lead are being entertained.

Fears in Marawi City Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase prejudice against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the university in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must find out what transpired.

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

Manlupig lauded local initiatives in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must address economic and social issues and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “persist in promoting understanding and steer clear of bias and polarization”.