DFA welcomes Australia findings that Bondi gunmen didn't get training in PH

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday welcomed Australia's announcement that the suspects in the Dec. 14 Bondi attacks did not receive training or logistical preparation in the Philippines.

In a statement, the DFA took note of Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barret's statement in a press conference that Australia shares the initial assessment of the Philippine National Police that “there is no evidence to suggest they received training or underwent logistical preparation for their alleged attack” during their stay in the Philippines from November 1 to 29, 2025. 

Barret also stated that “there is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack,” while underscoring that this assessment remains subject to continuing investigation. 

Philippine Immigration officials said Sajid Akram, 50, an Indian national and Australian resident, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together last November 1, 2025 from Sydney, Australia. Both reported Davao as their final destination.  

They left the country on November 29 on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination.

The two opened fire at 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. 

In the same press conference, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed his appreciation for the cooperation extended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Philippine law enforcement agencies.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank… President Marcos, my friend, the President of the Philippines as well. Through him, the agencies in the Philippines have done everything they can to provide information in a timely way, and that's a good thing," Albanese said.

Barrett also acknowledged the "prompt and effective" assistance extended by Philippine authorities, noting that “without their swift response, much of the CCTV footage that is now under review by our investigators would not have been available."

He likewise emphasized that the Australian Federal Police and the Philippine National Police have worked together for decades on counter-terrorism cooperation.  

Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro stressed that the Philippines is firmly committed to countering terrorism, preventing violent extremism, and nurturing closer intelligence and law-enforcement cooperation with Australia and other foreign partners. 

"The Philippines and Australia will continue to jointly address transnational security threats, including terrorism, through sustained information sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building initiatives," Lazaro said in a statement. —AOL, GMA Integrated News