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This was the most terrifying experience of his life. In 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a bomb explosion at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the extremist group in the city of Marawi followed.

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

Years later, the shadow of IS once more hangs over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst international scrutiny over the month-long stay in the city of the alleged Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage technician at the night market, learned of the attack on the news, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 fatalities sits in a part of the night market, looking incongruous amidst the celebratory environment as many people flocked there for meals, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Investigations Amid Festive Celebrations

Examinations of the Philippines activities of the father and son comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not violence,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. Officials have stated the probe into their actions is ongoing and the true reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is simply a shame that legitimate grievances are exploited by radicalism. Unfortunately, the story of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another act of terror in the city long administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and controversial – was established by tightly securing Davao through tough anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a base for militant training for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of instability and marginalization that has seen some Muslim separatist groups form alliances with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups persist, authorities say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Activities

What is evident, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two never left the city nor underwent weapons training in the country, as was initially suggested.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the movements of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Authorities say there are several establishments the two could have frequented or connected with associates in the neighborhood. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a local Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are examining surveillance tapes and tracking taxi trips to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Worries in Marawi City Over Bias

In Marawi, the site of intense fighting with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, locals are concerned that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and worsen prejudice against Muslims.

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

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into finger-pointing against the region or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront root causes and political factors that drive the impulses behind the violence while “continue pushing for tolerance and prevent discrimination and division”.