Philippines Confirms Visit of Bondi Beach Shooting Suspects Before Sydney Terror Attack
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has confirmed that the two men accused of carrying out the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Sydney, one of Australia’s deadliest attacks in decades, travelled to the Philippines weeks before the incident. The confirmation has added a new international dimension to an investigation already being treated as a terrorism-related attack by Australian authorities.
Details of the Suspects’ Travel to the Philippines
According to immigration officials in Manila, Sajid Akram, a 50-year-old Indian national and Australian permanent resident, entered the Philippines on November 1, 2025, using an Indian passport. He was accompanied by his son, Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian citizen, who travelled on an Australian passport.
Both arrived aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212, flying from Sydney to Manila before continuing onward to Davao City, located in the southern Philippines. Records show that the father and son remained in the country for nearly the entire month of November, departing on November 28, again on Flight PR212, via Manila back to Sydney.
Bondi Beach Mass Shooting Under Terrorism Probe
The Bondi Beach shooting, which occurred on December 14, 2025, resulted in the deaths of 15 people and marked Australia’s worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. Australian police have stated that the attack is being investigated as an act of terrorism, with indications that it targeted the Jewish community.
Authorities have also revealed that the attack may have been inspired by Islamic State (ISIS) ideology, prompting intensified intelligence cooperation between Australia and regional partners.
Concerns Over Activities in Mindanao
While Philippine officials confirmed the suspects’ presence in Davao, they stated that it is not yet clear what activities the two men engaged in during their stay, or whether they travelled to other areas after arriving in Mindanao.
The region has long been monitored by security agencies due to the past presence of ISIS-linked militant groups. In 2017, extremists inspired by Islamic State seized parts of Marawi City, leading to a five-month military siege that displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and resulted in over 1,100 deaths, most of them militants.
Philippine Military and Intelligence Response
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed that it is currently validating reports related to the suspects’ movements. In an official statement, a military spokesperson said the AFP is closely coordinating with immigration authorities and intelligence agencies to assess any possible terrorist links or regional security concerns.
Officials emphasized that no confirmed operational activities have yet been linked to the suspects’ stay in the Philippines.
International Security Implications
The revelation of the suspects’ international travel highlights growing concerns about cross-border extremist radicalization, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Security analysts note that such cases underscore the importance of information sharing, travel monitoring, and intelligence cooperation among nations.
As investigations continue, both Australian and Philippine authorities have reiterated their commitment to transparency and collaboration to ensure regional safety and prevent future attacks.
