Philippine authorities give update on Bondi Beach gunmen's movements amid speculation about terror training

Authorities successful the Philippines gave an update connected their probe of the accused Bondi Beach gunmen's movements during their weeks-long travel to the country.

The father-son duo – who are present accused of carrying retired a deadly onslaught astatine a Hanukkah lawsuit astatine Bondi Beach successful Sydney, Australia, this week — allegedly antecedently traveled to Davao City for their four-week sojourn to the Philippines, according to reports. This comes aft a caller confirmation by Philippine authorities that the begetter and lad spent astir the full period of November successful the country.

Philippine constabulary and edifice unit said the begetter and lad seldom near their edifice country but for an hr oregon truthful astatine a time, according to The Guardian. The outlet added that some constabulary and edifice unit noted that the accused gunmen ne'er talked to different guests oregon had visitors.

There was speculation that the begetter and lad traveled to the Philippines to person grooming from Islamist groups believed to beryllium operating successful the country, but authorities person pushed backmost against the assertion.

SURVIVING AUSTRALIA TERROR SUSPECT SLAPPED WITH CHARGES IN WAKE OF DEADLY ATTACK

Mourners spot flowers astatine a memorial astatine Bondi Beach successful Sydney, Australia, connected Dec. 15, 2025.  (AAP/Bianca De Marchi via Reuters)

On Tuesday, the Philippines Bureau of Investigation said the 2 accused gunmen travelled to the Philippines connected Nov. 1 aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212 from Sydney to Manila earlier making their mode to Davao, according to Reuters. The 2 near the Philippines connected Nov. 28, conscionable weeks earlier they allegedly carried retired the Bondi Beach attack.

Davao City is located connected the land of Mindanao, which has been nether a "Level 3: Reconsider Travel" advisory since May. However, the State Department said that Davao City, successful summation to a fewer different locations, is an objection to the advisory.

"Terrorist and equipped groups successful Mindanao person historically engaged successful kidnappings for ransom, successful summation to bombings and different attacks. These incidents often people overseas nationals, including U.S. citizens, arsenic good arsenic civilians, section authorities entities, and information forces," the State Department's advisory reads.

A enactment is near attached to a angiosperm astatine a tribute for shooting victims extracurricular the Bondi Pavilion astatine Sydney's Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

POLICE: BONDI BEACH SHOOTING SUSPECTS HAD BOMBS, ISIS FLAGS AND RECENTLY TRAVELED TO PHILIPPINES

In 2017, Islamic State-inspired militants stormed Marawi, the superior of Lanao del Sur state successful the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro Autonomous Region successful Mindanao. Reuters reported that the siege of Marawi displaced astir 350,000 residents and near much than 1,100 dead, astir of whom were militants.

The metropolis is presently nether a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory, with the State Department informing that "civilians look hazard of decease oregon wounded from ongoing clashes betwixt violent radical remnants and Philippine information forces successful Marawi."

Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) noted that portion the power and spot of Islamic State-aligned groups has declined successful caller years, the Philippines subject has had infrequent clashes with remnants of the groups.

Family members of a unfortunate from Sunday's shooting mourn astatine a angiosperm memorial made aft the shooting astatine the Bondi Pavilion astatine Bondi Beach connected Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, successful Sydney, Australia. (Mark Baker/AP Photo)

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The Bondi Beach onslaught unfolded connected Sunday arsenic gunmen opened occurrence astatine a Hanukkah celebration, sidesplitting astatine slightest 15 and leaving dozens injured. The older gunman, who was the younger gunman's father, died astatine the scene.

On Wednesday, New South Wales Police announced the 59 charges against the 24-year-old surviving suspected gunman, including "commit violent act," 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of "cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to idiosyncratic with intent to murder," "discharge firearm etc mean origin grievous bodily harm," "cause nationalist show of prohibited violent org symbol" and "place explosive in/near gathering with intent to origin harm."

NSW Police said that the alleged gunman is inactive hospitalized and is nether constabulary guard.