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That was the most frightening moment of his existence. During the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a detonation at the Roxas night market in Davao City. The Islamic State attack left 15 dead, including his brother-in-law. A prolonged siege between the army and the jihadist group in Marawi ensued.

“It will not happen again in Davao,” Pendon says.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the Philippines’ key cities, amidst worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi beach shooters, a father and son, Sajid and Naveed Akram.

Pendon, who is a a massage technician at the night market, saw news of the Bondi incident on the news, but similar to other locals surveyed, felt predominantly disconnected.

The 2016 attack is a bad memory he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 victims sits in a part of the night market, appearing incongruous against the festive atmosphere as hundreds gathered there for food, massages and souvenirs.

Ongoing Probes Amid Holiday Cheer

Investigations into the visit to the country of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic nation is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been lit up by a tall Christmas tree, malls are busy, and children go door-to-door to sing carols.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for travel, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. Officials have emphasized the probe into their activities is continuing and the true reason for their visit is remains uncertain.

“It is a shame that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Unfortunately, the narrative of extreme conflict was incorrectly tied to Mindanao’s image,” noted Karlos Manlupig, head of advocacy group Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Security History

Lorenzo is furthermore confident that no one could execute another terror attack in the city for a long time administered by the family of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and infamous – was built on aggressively securitising Davao through strict anti-crime and anti-drug initiatives. At an entrance of the night market, at minimum four guards stand searching bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and disenfranchisement that has seen some local militant factions establish links with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and degraded.

Investigators Trace Activities

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

Police have said they are “treating with gravity” the pair’s presence in the country as they map out the movements of the father and son during their four-week stay in Davao City.

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

Officers are examining security camera video and following cab rides to reconstruct their whereabouts, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in the Region Over Stigma

In Marawi, the site of a major conflict with Islamic State affiliates in 2017, residents are worried that new terrorist labels could lead to increased security measures and deepen discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a professor at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must establish what happened.

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

Manlupig commended civic actions in enhancing the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “that does not imply that radicalism simply disappeared”. He said the country must tackle economic and social issues and political factors that drive the motivations behind the unrest while “continue pushing for tolerance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.