Bondi Beach gunmen visited PH in November — BI

Individuals reportedly identified as the suspects in the mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach visited the Philippines last month, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday.

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said 50-year-old Sajid Akram and 24-year-old Naveed Akram arrived in the Philippines on November 1 from Sydney.

According to Sandoval, Sajid Akram is an Indian national (Australian resident) while his son is an Australian national.

She said both reported Davao as their final destination.

They left on November 28 on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination.

This comes as police authorities abroad are reportedly investigating why the pair traveled to the Philippines.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Tuesday it is aware of media reports regarding the possible links of the shooters to terrorist groups.

“At this time, there is no validated information confirming such claims,” the AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a statement.

“Matters involving the movements of foreign nationals and potential terrorist links are being closely coordinated through the appropriate government agencies,” she added.

Padilla said “the AFP continues to work with the broader security sector to maintain vigilance against any form of terrorism and remains fully committed to supporting civilian authorities in safeguarding national security, in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.”

Earlier in the day, the Philippine National Police said it is validating reports that the Bondi beach gunmen traveled to the Philippines before the attack.

PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. is coordinating with the 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.

'Not a serious concern'

Meanwhile, Malacañang said Tuesday that the visit of the suspects in the mass shooting at Australia’s Bondi Beach to the Philippines is not considered as a serious security concern in the country.

Citing the National Security Council, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the reported prior travel of those involved in the shooting incident is ''currently under validation.''

''At this time, there is no confirmed information indicating that their visit posed a security threat, and this is not considered a serious or immediate concern,'' Castro said as she read the NSC statement.

''Standard security, immigration, and counterterrorism protocols remain fully active, with coordination ongoing with Australian authorities,'' she added.

On December 14, gunmen opened fire at a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people. The death toll climbed to 16 after one of the gunmen was killed. —with a report from Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA Integrated News