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It was the scariest experience of his existence. In the fall of 2016, Gerry Pendon was a mere five meters away from a bomb explosion at the night market in Roxas in Davao City. The ISIS assault left 15 dead, among them his wife's brother. A lengthy conflict between the military and the militant group in Marawi City followed.

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

Nearly a decade later, the specter of IS again looms over one of the country's largest cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the suspected Bondi suspects, the Akrams, father and son.

Pendon, who works as a massage therapist at the night market, learned of the Bondi incident on the media, but like other locals surveyed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 attack is a painful recollection he is attempting to put behind him. A remembrance marker for the 2016 fatalities sits in a corner of the night market, appearing out of place against the festive atmosphere as many people flocked there for food, massages and trinkets.

Ongoing Probes Amid Festive Cheer

Probes regarding the visit to the country of the pair comes as the predominantly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s municipal hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are packed, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“It surprised me to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for tourism, not terrorism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, also a massage therapist at the market. The government have stated the inquiry into their whereabouts is ongoing and the precise reason for their trip is remains uncertain.

“It is just unfortunate that valid issues are hijacked by extremism. Sadly, the story of savage attacks was incorrectly tied to the island's image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of peace-building NGO Balay Mindanao.

Confidence in Security Legacy

Lorenzo is also certain that nobody could carry out another terrorist strike in the city long administered by the clan of former president Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both renowned and notorious – was forged through tightly securing Davao through strict anti-crime and drug war campaigns. At an entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has rejected claims that it was a terrorist training ground for the accused Bondi shooters. The country has a long history of instability and marginalization that has seen some Islamic independence movements form alliances with overseas extremist organizations. But while IS-linked groups still exist, experts say they are limited in size and diminished.

Police Trace Whereabouts

What is clear, said Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two did not leave the city nor obtained military-style training in the country, as was earlier claimed.

Police have said they are “taking seriously” the duo's presence in the country as they reconstruct the actions of the suspects during their four-week stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are numerous places the two could have gone to or met contacts in the vicinity. Scores of establishments sit between the hotel where they stayed and a close by Jollibee, where they were known to buy their meals.

Detectives are analyzing CCTV footage and tracking taxi trips to establish their itinerary, and that all possibilities are being explored.

Fears in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are anxious that renewed accusations of extremism could lead to tighter restrictions and worsen bias against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a faculty member at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City, said the Philippine security agencies must determine what took place.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be properly investigated and the intel should provide clear and truthful answers without converting questions into blame against Mindanao or its people,” Andullah said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in strengthening the security situation in Davao City but he said “it is not true that terrorism was eradicated”. He said the country must tackle root causes and governance challenges that motivate the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for acceptance and avoid discrimination and sectarianism”.