Two Australians probed over possible links to Bondi Beach attackers, Philippine authorities say

Two Australian men are being probed by Philippine authorities over potential ties to the Bondi Beach attackers, as investigators examine whether the Sydney pair crossed paths with Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, during a four-week stay in the Philippines ahead of the December 14 attack that left 15 dead.

Philippines National Police officers are reviewing CCTV footage and hotel records in Davao City to determine whether the two men interacted with the Akrams before the mass shooting. Police say the Akrams stayed about a month at the GV Hotel, a budget property where they reportedly spent most of their time in their room. Investigators have also looked into a reported meeting with a Muslim cleric, captured on CCTV, and whether the two Sydney men were present in Davao City during the overlap with the Akrams’ stay.

Early accounts from local police indicate the two additional men were not tourists and did not visit major sights while in Davao. One man, believed to be in his 50s, flew from Sydney to Manila before traveling to Davao on November 8, while a younger man arrived on the day the elder left and returned to Sydney on December 3. The Akrams themselves departed the Philippines around the same time, with the elder man returning to Australia three days before the younger man.

GV Hotel staff have said they were unaware of why the Akrams chose the budget hotel for a prolonged stay, noting the men appeared to keep to themselves and largely remained in their room. Police have reviewed CCTV footage showing Sajid Akram speaking with a cleric at a mosque near the GV Hotel as part of the broader inquiry into possible links or contacts. Staff said the two men who traveled from Sydney were not reported to have interacted with hotel staff beyond asking for directions, and they were described as not visiting tourist sites during their stay.

The investigation also involves Australia’s security agencies. ASIO and the Australian Federal Police are examining why the Bondi Beach attackers traveled to the Philippines in November and whether the trip formed part of a broader pattern or network. Davao City, with a population of about 1.85 million, is not a typical destination for Australian tourists and has heightened security after past incidents associated with terrorism in Mindanao and ISIS-linked networks.

Naveed Akram, 24, has been charged with 59 offenses in connection with the attack, including 15 counts of murder. Sajid Akram, 50, was fatally shot by police during the nine-minute assault. Australian authorities said there is no evidence at this stage of additional individuals being involved, though the investigation remains open and could identify new links as more evidence is reviewed. NSW Police noted that the inquiry is ongoing and cautioned that new findings could emerge as CCTV and hotel records are further scrutinized.

Officials in Australia and the Philippines emphasize that the case is evolving and that investigators aim to establish a clear timeline and any possible connections to determine whether the attack was isolated or part of a broader network. The Bondi Beach shooting occurred during a Hanukkah event attended by hundreds, prompting renewed concern about cross-border travel by individuals with extremist ideologies and the role of international travel in facilitating plots. Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has denied that the suspects received military-style training in the Philippines, while security authorities continue to review evidence and monitor potential leads.