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That was the most terrifying moment of his life. In September 2016, Gerry Pendon was just five meters away from a blast at the Roxas evening bazaar in Davao City. The ISIS assault left 15 dead, including his wife's brother. A prolonged siege between the military and the extremist group in Marawi followed.

“It cannot occur again in Davao,” Pendon states.

Years later, the specter of IS reappears over one of the country's major cities, during worldwide focus over the month-long stay in the city of the accused 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 media, but as with other residents interviewed, felt mostly removed.

The 2016 blast is a painful recollection he is working to forget. A monument for the 2016 deaths is placed in a section of the night market, appearing incongruous against the festive atmosphere as many people came there for food, massages and goods.

Ongoing Inquiries Amid Festive Preparations

Investigations into the Philippines activities of the pair comes as the mostly Catholic country is getting ready for Christmas. Davao’s city hall has been adorned with a towering Christmas tree, malls are crowded, and children knock on doors to perform Christmas songs.

“I was surprised to see [the Akrams] in the news. But they were here for sightseeing, not extremism,” says Emelyn Lorenzo, another a massage therapist at the market. The government have emphasized the investigation into their actions is ongoing and the precise reason for their visit is still unknown.

“It is simply regrettable that legitimate grievances are hijacked by radicalism. Regrettably, the reputation of brutal violence was wrongly attached to Mindanao’s image,” stated Karlos Manlupig, leader of non-governmental organization Balay Mindanao.

Faith in Policing History

Lorenzo is additionally assured that no one could carry out another act of terror in the city for a long time governed by the clan of past leader Rodrigo Duterte, whose legacy – both notable and controversial – was forged through heavily policing Davao through strict law and order and anti-drug initiatives. At one entrance of the night market, at least four personnel stand checking bags.

The authorities has pushed back against claims that it was a hub for extremists for the alleged Bondi shooters. The country has a extensive past of instability and marginalisation that has seen some local militant factions form alliances with global terrorist networks. But while IS-linked groups persist, security officials say they are limited in size and weakened.

Police Reconstruct Whereabouts

What is certain, stated Eduardo Año, the Philippines’ top security official, is the two never left the city nor received military-style training in the country, as was previously alleged.

Investigators have said they are “taking seriously” the pair’s visit in the country as they reconstruct the activities of the pair during their month-long stay in Davao City.

Investigators say there are several establishments the two could have gone to or met contacts in the neighborhood. Dozens of businesses sit between the GV Hotel and a local restaurant, where they were known to buy their food.

Detectives are examining CCTV footage and tracing transport records to establish their movements, and that every scenario are being explored.

Worries in Marawi Over Labels

In Marawi, the site of fierce battles with IS-linked militants in 2017, locals are concerned that renewed terrorist labels could lead to tighter restrictions and increase discrimination against Muslims.

Tirmizy Abdullah, a academic at the institution in Marawi City, said the Philippine intelligence community must find out what happened.

“[The Akrams’] time here should be thoroughly examined and the information should provide transparent and factual answers without converting questions into blame against the region or its people,” he said.

Manlupig praised local initiatives in improving the safety conditions in Davao City but he said “this doesn’t mean that radicalism magically vanished”. He said the country must confront socioeconomic factors and political factors that fuel the motivations behind the conflict while “continue pushing for understanding and prevent prejudice and sectarianism”.