Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) Director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete has clarified on Thursday that the visit to Davao City by a father and son duo suspects in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia, in December last year does not appear to be connected to any terrorist activity.
The suspects, 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, passed through the Philippines in November 2025 before the mass shooting that shook Australia.
According to reports, both flew into Manila and later traveled to Davao City and stayed at GV Hotel.
Rosete stressed that initial assessments show no links to extremist activities.
“It is not connected to the initial reports that came out that it is a terrorist activity. Nakita naman namin based dun sa cellphones recovered and na extract namin sa nangyari ay hindi siya connected sa terrorist activities,” Rosete said told the media.
Rosete said authorities are still working to understand why the pair chose Davao, but early observations suggest their plans did not materialize while in the city.
“Maybe their intention of coming here was to get some training but somehow along the way hindi nag materialize because the two suspects did not leave the hotel and did not go somewhere else. It took them longer period of time wherein when you connect the training process it will entail longer periods of time,” he said.
On December 14, 2025, two suspects opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens more in what Australian authorities have described as a terrorist attack with antisemitic motives.
The shooting occurred at Archer Park, next to the popular beach, where hundreds had gathered for the “Chanukah by the Sea” event.
The Bondi Beach incident stands as one of Australia’s deadliest shootings in decades and has prompted national reflection, investigations, and discussions on hate driven violence and public safety.
