Malacañang on Tuesday said there is no confirmed information indicating that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia posed a security threat during their reported visit to the Philippines, citing an ongoing validation by the National Security Council (NSC).
Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the NSC is aware of reports that the suspects had previously traveled to the Philippines, including Mindanao, in November.
‘‘The National Security Council is aware of the reports that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia had previously travelled to the Philippines, and these are currently under validation,’’ Castro said, reading the NSC’s statement during a Palace briefing.
‘‘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,’’ she added.
Castro said standard security, immigration, and counterterrorism protocols remain fully active, with coordination ongoing with Australian authorities.
Asked whether President Ferdinand ‘‘Bongbong’’ Marcos Jr. has spoken with Australian officials following the incident or whether there has been intelligence sharing, Castro said the Palace would provide updates once available.
She added that authorities have yet to determine the activities of the suspects while they were in the Philippines, noting that the NSC is still validating information with other government agencies.
The NSC, for its part, said it is still awaiting full reports as authorities
verify details surrounding the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) confirmation that the father-and-son gunmen in the fatal Bondi Beach attack in Sydney had stayed in the Philippines in November.
NSC spokesperson Cornelia Valencia said the council is working with the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the BI to determine the nature of the suspects’ visit and whether any unlawful activities were committed while they were in the country.
‘‘As of now, we are still awaiting reports. We are closely coordinating with relevant agencies to verify the details of their visit and determine whether any unlawful activities occurred on Philippine soil,’’ the NSC said.
The BI, through spokesperson Dana Sandoval, confirmed that the gunmen were in the Philippines for almost the entire month of November. The father, identified as Sajid Akram, reportedly entered the country as an Indian national and traveled with his son, Naveed, from Manila to Davao.
In a separate statement, the BI said Sajid, 50, and Naveed, 24, arrived in the Philippines together on November 1, 2025, from Sydney, Australia, and reported Davao as their final destination.
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the Directorate for Intelligence to coordinate with the BI in validating reports related to the suspects’ visit prior to the mass shooting, according to PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño.
‘‘The acting chief PNP, through the Directorate for Intelligence, is validating the said report, and coordination with the BI is underway,’’ Tuaño said.
Nartatez assured the public that the PNP remains on high alert to prevent any untoward incidents and to protect public safety following the Bondi Beach attack.
‘‘The Philippine National Police is maintaining heightened vigilance to deter provocateurs and prevent any security threat,’’ he said.
He added that police units nationwide have been instructed to strengthen their presence in public areas, major thoroughfares, and key venues where holiday events and gatherings are expected.
‘‘I have directed our commanders to deploy sufficient numbers of personnel to ensure visible police presence in crowded areas to provide security reassurance to the public while discouraging potential troublemakers,’’ Nartatez said.
The Bondi Beach attack on Dec. 14 was among the deadliest in recent Australian history, after two gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration at Archer Park beside Bondi Beach in Sydney, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 40 others.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier said the suspects had likely been radicalized by Islamic State ideology.
The NSC said Philippine authorities continue to examine all available information in coordination with international partners to ensure a thorough assessment of the case.
‘‘The NSC remains vigilant in preventing any terrorist activity within Philippine territory and continues to enhance coordination with international partners to safeguard national security,’’ it added.
