PNP verifying reports Bondi Beach shooters in PH before attack

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday it is validating reports that the gunmen in the fatal Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia traveled to the Philippines before the attack.

PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) about the matter, according to PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño.

"The [Acting Chief PNP], thru the [Directorate for Intelligence] is validating the said report and coordination with BI is underway," Tuaño said in a message to GMA News Online.

Reuters reported that the alleged offenders behind the attack were a father and son duo. The father, a 50-year-old, was killed at the scene, while his 24-year-old son was in critical condition in the hospital.

A separate report Tuesday by Reuters quoted Australian police as saying the two alleged gunmen traveled to the Philippines last month, and that the reasons for their trip were under investigation.

Australian police said initial investigations suggested the gunmen could have been inspired by the ideologies of the Islamic State, adding they found two homemade Islamic State flags in a vehicle used by one of the men.

Meanwhile, local media reported that the two shooters allegedly went to the Philippines for "military-style training," citing some sources.

The death toll from the Sunday shooting incident was 16 as stated by the police as of Monday, according to Reuters. — VDV, GMA Integrated News