PNP verifying reports Bondi Beach gunmen stayed in PH before the attack
The Philippine National Police early Tuesday announced it is validating reports that say the father-and-son gunmen who allegedly carried out the shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia on Dec. 15 were possibly in the Philippines before traveling to Sydney.
According to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño, the verification is being done by the PNP Directorate for Intelligence as it coordinates with the Bureau of Immigration, as reported by ABS CBN News.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured the Philippines is not under any major security threats.
"Walang pagbabanta sa seguridad na aming namo-monitor, pero makakaasa ang publiko na naka-alerto ang kapulisan upanng masiguro ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa," Nartatez said in a statement.
On Monday, the two shooters opened fire using long-barrelled guns during a Jewish festival at Sydney's Bondi Beach, killing 15, including a 10-year-old girl.
The two men, whom authorities have identified as fruit vendor Sajid Akram and his son Naveed, a 24-year-old unemployed bricklayer, were caught on video standing on a pedestrian bridge, shooting at the revelers who were offscreen. At some point, Naveed, who was clad all in black, could be seen waving away bystanders and reloading his weapon.
Sajid was shot dead by police at the scene. Naveed was also shot, and is in critical condition in the hospital. Sources have told Australian media, however, that he is showing signs of recovering.
Reports from Australian media
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the Akrams were in the Philippines weeks before the attack. The Australian Federal Police is still determining the reason for their visit to the country, and the reason for it.
In its own report, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation cited intelligence from a senior counter-terrorism official who claimed the pair flew to Manila then travelled to southern Philippines to receive "military-style training."
There are concerns that the duo may have been influenced by Islamist extremists, a theory police arrived at after finding an Islamist State flag in the shooters' car along with improvised explosive devices.
A branch of the terror group, the Islamic State of East Asia, has been flagged by the Australian government as a terrorist organisation since 2017. Although authorities place no connection between ISEA and Australia, they have found links between Australians and terrorist groups in the Philippines, according to a police briefing document.
ABC further reported that Naveed had longstanding connections to Australia's pro-Islamic State network, and was investigated in 2019 over this association. The media outlet also reported about the connection between Naveed and jihadist spiritual leader Wisam Haddad and Youssef Uweinat, a convicted IS youth recruiter. Haddad has since denied knowledge or involvement in the Bondi Beach massacre.
