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That was the scariest moment of his existence. During 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five metres away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS strike left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A five-month battle between the armed forces and the jihadist group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot take place again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Nearly a decade later, the threat of IS once more hangs over one of the nation's major cities, during global attention over the 28-day stay in the city of the accused Bondi attackers, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who is a a masseur at the night market, heard about the Bondi incident on the media, but similar to other locals spoken to, felt predominantly removed.

The 2016 attack is a traumatic event he is attempting to put behind him. A monument for the 2016 deaths stands in a part of the night market, seeming incongruous amid the celebratory mood as many people flocked there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Christmas Cheer

Investigations into the time in the Philippines of the duo comes as the overwhelmingly Catholic nation is gearing up for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been decorated with a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children knock on doors to sing carols.

“I was taken aback 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. Officials have made clear the investigation into their activities is active and the true reason for their stay is still uncertain.

“It is just regrettable that real concerns are exploited by extremism. Regrettably, the narrative of extreme conflict was wrongly attached to the region's character,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Safety Legacy

Lorenzo is furthermore certain that no one could carry out another terror attack in the city long administered by the clan of ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, whose reputation – both renowned and notorious – was built on tightly securing Davao through hardline anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four guards stand checking bags.

The national government has denied allegations that it was a hub for extremists for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of unrest and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements establish links with international jihadist groups. But while IS-linked groups remain present, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Authorities Piece Together Whereabouts

What is certain, commented Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ national security adviser, is the two stayed within the city nor obtained combat training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Law enforcement have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s visit in the country as they map out the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous locations the two could have gone to or connected with associates in the area. Many of outlets sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Officers are analyzing security camera video and tracking taxi trips to piece together their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being entertained.

Concerns in Marawi Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with extremist groups in 2017, locals are worried that fresh terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine investigative bodies must determine what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the intel should provide transparent and factual answers without turning uncertainty into accusations against the region or its people,” Abdullah said.

Manlupig lauded civic actions in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that terrorism magically vanished”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that drive the motivations behind the violence while “persist in promoting acceptance and prevent discrimination and division”.