PH, Australia vow closer law enforcement cooperation — DFA

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro on Tuesday held a phone call with her Australian counterpart, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, to discuss the recent Bondi Beach attack, as both officials vowed closer law enforcement cooperation amid reports that the suspects had travelled to the Philippines last month.

“I spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Senator Wong by phone today to convey my sincere condolences on the Bondi Beach tragedy. The Philippines stands firmly in solidarity with Australia and underscores strong PHL–AUS cooperation in security and law enforcement matters,” Lazaro said in a post on X.

“We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred, and violence,” she added.

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I spoke with Australian Foreign Minister @SenatorWong by phone today to convey my sincere condolences on the Bondi Beach tragedy. ???????? stands firmly in solidarity with ???????? and underscores strong PHL–AUS cooperation in security and law enforcement matters. pic.twitter.com/fswHcvlMC4

— Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro (@SecLazaro) December 16, 2025

In a separate statement to reporters, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the call was meant “to reassure each other of continued security and law enforcement cooperation, and to keep each other closely informed of any developments in the investigation.”

The National Security Council (NSC) in Manila said it is aware of reports that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia had previously travelled to the Philippines.

Philippine immigration authorities said Sajid Akram, 50, an Indian national and Australian resident, and Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together on November 1, 2025, from Sydney, Australia, and reported Davao as their final destination.

They left the country on November 28, 2025, taking a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney listed as their final destination.

The two gunmen opened fire on December 14 during a Jewish holiday celebration at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people in one of the worst security attacks in Australia. One of the gunmen was killed.

The NSC said there is “no confirmed information indicating that their visit posed a security threat,” adding that the matter is “not considered serious or immediate.”

However, the agency stressed that standard security, immigration, and counterterrorism protocols remain fully active, and that coordination with Australian authorities is ongoing.

In the past, various Muslim militant groups, including Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao, had hosted small numbers of foreign combatants from Asia and the Middle East.

However, years of sustained military operations—particularly under Philippines–United States counterterrorism cooperation—have significantly weakened Abu Sayyaf and similar armed groups, leading to the neutralization of key local terrorist leaders in Mindanao.—MCG, GMA Integrated News