Philippines Authorities Clarify Movements of Bondi Beach Attack Suspects Amid Terror Training Speculation
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities have provided new details regarding the recent investigation into the movements of the two men accused of carrying out the deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The father and son, who allegedly killed 15 people during a Hanukkah event, reportedly spent nearly the entire month of November in Davao City, a key urban center on the southern island of Mindanao. However, officials have pushed back against widespread speculation that the pair received terrorism training while in the country.
According to the Philippines Bureau of Investigation, the suspects arrived in the Philippines on November 1 aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212 from Sydney to Manila. From there, they traveled to Davao City, where they remained until departing on November 28, just weeks before the Bondi Beach attack on December 15. Philippine police and hotel staff reported that the men kept to themselves, rarely leaving their hotel room for more than an hour at a time and avoiding contact with other guests or visitors, as detailed by Reuters.
Davao City is located in Mindanao, a region that has been under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory by the U.S. Department of State since May 2025 due to ongoing threats from terrorist and armed groups. These groups have a history of kidnappings, bombings, and attacks targeting civilians, government officials, and foreign nationals. However, Davao City itself is noted as an exception to the advisory, reflecting its relative stability compared to other parts of Mindanao.
Despite the region’s troubled history, Philippine authorities have firmly denied claims that the accused gunmen underwent any form of Islamist terror training during their stay. The speculation had emerged amid fears that the suspects might have connected with militant groups operating in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, which includes parts of Mindanao. This area was the site of a major siege in 2017 when Islamic State-inspired militants seized Marawi City, leading to months of intense conflict.
Authorities emphasized that the suspects’ behavior during their stay—marked by seclusion and minimal interaction—does not support the theory of organized terror training. Instead, officials suggest the visit was likely a low-profile transit or personal trip. The Philippine National Police continue to investigate any potential links but have found no concrete evidence connecting the suspects to local extremist factions.
The Bondi Beach attack has heightened global concerns about transnational terrorism and the movement of suspects across borders. The Australian Federal Police, working alongside international partners, have been tracking the suspects’ travel history and communications. The Philippine update adds an important piece to the timeline, clarifying the suspects’ activities during a critical period.
Security experts note that Mindanao remains a complex security environment. The FBI and other international agencies continue to monitor the region closely due to its history of Islamist militancy. However, the Philippine government’s swift response and transparency in this case aim to dispel misinformation and reassure the public about ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
As investigations proceed, authorities in Australia and the Philippines are coordinating to piece together the suspects’ movements and motivations. The father and son remain in custody, facing charges related to the Bondi Beach shooting, which has left a lasting impact on the Sydney community and raised alarms worldwide about the evolving nature of terrorism in the Indo-Pacific region.
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