2 suspects in Bondi shootings stayed in PH last November – BI

Two suspected gunmen in the deadly Bondi shootings in Australia were found to have stayed in the Philippines for almost a month last November, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, an Indian national, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, an Indian-Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together on Nov. 1, 2025 from Sydney, Australia. She said they arrived in the Philippines without any other companion.

Sandoval said the father and son reported Davao as their final destination.

"They left the country on Nov. 28, 2025 on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination," she added.

But the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) insisted there is no verified information linking the two suspects in the recent mass shooting at the Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia to suspected terrorist groups.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military is aware of media reports alleging that the suspects had traveled to the country and may have ties to terrorist organizations.