No evidence alleged Bondi gunmen received military training in the Philippines, says security adviser

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FILE PHOTO: An Australian flag sits amongst floral tributes honouring the victims of a shooting at Jewish holiday celebration on Sunday at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, Australia, December 16, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo

MANILA, Dec 17 - There is no evidence indicating that the two suspects involved in the Bondi Beach attack received any form of military training while in the Philippines, the Philippines National Security Adviser said ‍on ​Wednesday.

In a statement, Eduardo Año said that a mere visit ‍to the country does not substantiate allegations of terrorist training, and the duration of their stay would not have ​permitted any ​meaningful or structured training.

The alleged father-and-son gunmen opened fire on a Hanukkah celebration at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday, killing 15 in an attack that shocked Australia and heightened fears of ‍antisemitism and violent extremism.

Año said the government was investigating the two mens travel from November 1 ​to 28 and coordinating with Australian authorities ⁠to determine the purpose of the visit, dismissing media reports portraying the southern Philippines as a hotspot for violent extremism as outdated and misleading.

Immigration records show the pair landed in Manila and travelled to Davao City in Mindanao, a region long-plagued ​by Islamist militancy, before the attack that Australian police say appeared to have been inspired by Islamic State.

The men ‌stayed mostly in their rooms for almost a ​month at a budget hotel in Davao, MindaNews reported.

The father and son checked in at