NSC downplays Bondi shooters’ past trip to PH
The National Security Council (NSC) has downplayed concerns about security in the country after authorities confirmed that the gunmen behind the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach stayed for almost a month in the Philippines before returning to Australia.
In a statement read by Palace press officer Claire Castro, the NSC said that as of Tuesday, “There is no confirmed information indicating that their visit posed a security threat, and this is not considered a serious or immediate concern.”
“Standard security, immigration and counterterrorism protocols remain fully active, with coordination ongoing with Australian authorities,” the NSC said.
It issued the statement as some Australian news outlets reported the Philippines as “a training ground for terrorism” and a “terror hotspot.”
Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military was aware of the reports about the possible links of Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, to terrorist groups (See related story in World, Page B4).
“At this time, there is no validated information confirming such claims,” Padilla said.
Malacañang has yet to confirm if President Marcos or any high-ranking government officials have discussed the matter with their Australian counterparts.
But in a statement on X, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said that she spoke with Australia Foreign Minister Penny Wong to express her condolences over the shooting.
DFA statement
“The (Philippines) stands firmly in solidarity with (Australia) and underscores strong PH-AUS cooperation in security and law enforcement matters,” Lazaro said. “We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred and violence.”
According to Castro, the NSC was still verifying the specific activities of Sajid and Naveed while they were in the Philippines.
Based on Bureau of Immigration (BI) records, the pair arrived in the country from Sydney on Nov. 1. Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Sajid entered the Philippines as an Indian national, while Naveed was holding an Australian passport.
“Both reported Davao as their final destination. They left the country on Nov. 28, on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination,” Sandoval added.
The BI, however, has not yet been directly contacted by Australian authorities over the matter, she said.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that the two men had likely been radicalized by “Islamic State (IS) ideology.”
The police reportedly found IS flags in their vehicle, raising suspicion of their links to the international terrorist group.
The duo killed 15 people and wounded dozens more when they opened fire on those attending a Hanukkah celebration on Dec. 14 at Bondi Beach. —WITH A REPORT FROM GABRYELLE DUMALAG
