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Cristina Chi - Philstar.com
December 16, 2025 | 12:28pm
This screen grab of UGC video taken on December 14, 2025 and received courtesy of Mike Ortiz shows beach-goers fleeing Bondi Beach after gunmen opened fire, in Sydney on December 14, 2025.
Mike Ortiz / UGC / AFP
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Tuesday, December 16, that the father and son behind Australia's deadliest mass shooting in decades passed through the Philippines last month.
The bureau said the pair arrived from Sydney and were staying for nearly a month before returning to Australia just weeks before the attack.
Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, both Indian nationals, flew into the Philippines on November 1 from Sydney, listing Davao as their destination, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told reporters. They left on November 28 via a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination.
The pair opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14, killing 15 people and wounding dozens more in what Australian authorities declared a terrorist attack motivated by antisemitism.
Australian police shot and killed Sajid at the scene. Naveed remains confined in a hospital.
Based on local media reports, Australian authorities are now investigating whether the Akrams met with Islamic State militants during their Philippines trip.
Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Angelica Escalona said the department is currently consulting with other government agencies regarding reports of the pair's presence in the Philippines.
ISIS allegation. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said at a news conference Tuesday early indications point to an attack "inspired by Islamic State." Police reportedly found two homemade ISIS flags and improvised explosive devices in Naveed's vehicle.
In a statement, the Philippine National Police said it is currently monitoring the security situation in the Philippines, but as of yet has not detected cause for concern.
"We are not monitoring any security threat but the public can rest assured that police are on alert to ensure everyone's safety," said acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
