MANILA — Philippine immigration authorities have confirmed that two suspects in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Australia had entered and stayed in the Philippines weeks before the attack, as international investigators piece together the men’s movements leading up to the massacre.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval said the suspects — 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram — arrived in the country on November 1 after flying in from Sydney.
Sandoval said Sajid Akram is an Indian citizen and an Australian resident, while Naveed Akram is an Australian national. Immigration records showed that both listed Davao City as their intended destination upon arrival.
The two left the Philippines on November 28, taking a domestic flight from Davao to Manila before returning to Sydney, Sandoval added.
The BI disclosure comes amid intensified coordination among foreign law enforcement agencies seeking to establish a clearer timeline of the suspects’ movements and possible links ahead of the attack.
On December 14, gunmen opened fire during a Jewish holiday gathering at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. The death toll later rose to 16 after one of the attackers was killed during the incident.
Authorities said it remains unclear whether the suspects’ stay in the Philippines has any direct connection to the shooting, as investigations continue./PN
