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It was the most frightening moment of his life. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five metres away from a detonation at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The Islamic State attack claimed 15 lives, among them his brother-in-law. A five-month siege between the military and the jihadist group in the city of Marawi came after.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amid global attention over the four-week stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who makes a living as a massage therapist at the night market, heard about Bondi on the news, but similar to other locals interviewed, felt mostly detached.

Even the 2016 bombing is a traumatic event he is trying to move on from. A memorial for the 2016 victims stands in a part of the night market, seeming mismatched amidst the celebratory atmosphere as many people came there for meals, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Christmas Cheer

Probes regarding the Philippines activities of the pair coincides with the predominantly Catholic country is gearing up 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, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their whereabouts is continuing and the precise reason for their stay is remains uncertain.

“It is a shame that real concerns are co-opted by extremism. Sadly, the reputation of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s character,” said Karlos Manlupig, leader of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Trust in Safety History

Lorenzo is furthermore assured that nobody could perpetrate another terrorist strike in the city historically governed by the political machine of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose name – both famous and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug campaigns. At one entrance of the night market, at minimum four officers stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected suggestions that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a complicated background of conflict and marginalisation that has seen some Islamic independence movements forge ties with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Piece Together Activities

What is evident, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received weapons training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Investigators have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s stay in the country as they map out the actions of the pair during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Police say there are several places the two could have frequented or had meetings in the vicinity. Dozens of businesses sit between the their accommodation and a nearby Jollibee, where they were reported to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing CCTV footage and following transport records to piece together their movements, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi City Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, residents are worried that fresh accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and deepen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must establish what happened.

“[The Akrams’] stay should be carefully probed and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without transforming doubt into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig lauded community efforts in improving the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must address socioeconomic factors and political factors that motivate the reasons behind the unrest while “keep advocating for tolerance and steer clear of bias and polarization”.