PHILIPPINE authorities are investigating the movements of two individuals identified as suspects in the Bondi Beach mass shooting in Australia, after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed they visited the Philippines last month.
According to Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram arrived in the Philippines from Sydney on November 1.
Sandoval stated that Sajid Akram is an Indian national (Australian resident), while his son is an Australian national. Their declared final destination was Davao.
The pair departed the Philippines on November 28, taking a connecting flight from Davao to Manila before returning to Sydney.
The visit has prompted investigations by police authorities abroad seeking to understand the purpose of their trip to the Philippines.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has acknowledged awareness of media reports suggesting potential links between the shooters and terrorist groups.
“At this time, there is no validated information confirming such claims,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement.
“Matters involving the movements of foreign nationals and potential terrorist links are being closely coordinated through the appropriate government agencies,” she added.
Padilla affirmed that “the AFP continues to work with the broader security sector to maintain vigilance against any form of terrorism and remains fully committed to supporting civilian authorities in safeguarding national security, in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.”
Earlier in the day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced it is also validating reports that the Bondi Beach gunmen traveled to the Philippines prior to the attack. PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is coordinating with the BI on the matter, according to PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño.
