📷: Courtesy of ABC7
Malacañang on Tuesday assured the public that the reported visit of the suspects in the Bondi Beach mass shooting to the Philippines last November does not pose a serious security concern.
Citing the National Security Council (NSC), Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said the travel records of Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, are still under validation. The two were identified abroad as suspects in the December 14 attack in Sydney that left 16 people dead.
“At this time, there is no confirmed information indicating that their visit posed a security threat, and this is not considered a serious or immediate concern,” Castro said, reading the NSC statement.
She emphasized that standard security, immigration, and counterterrorism protocols remain fully active with Philippine authorities coordinating closely with their Australian counterparts.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) earlier confirmed that the Akram pair arrived in the Philippines from Sydney on November 1, listing Davao as their final destination. They departed on November 28 via Manila, bound for Sydney.
Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval clarified that Sajid Akram is an Indian national and Australian resident, while his son Naveed holds Australian citizenship.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) acknowledged awareness of international reports linking the suspects to possible terrorist groups but stressed that **no validated information has been established**.
AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said the military continues to coordinate with relevant agencies to monitor foreign nationals’ movements and safeguard national security.
The Philippine National Police (PNP), through acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., also confirmed ongoing coordination with the BI to validate the suspects’ travel records.
Malacañang reiterated that the matter is being handled with vigilance but underscored that the suspects’ brief stay in the country has not been assessed as a direct threat.
“The government remains committed to ensuring public safety while maintaining close coordination with international partners,” Castro added. (ZIA LUNA)
