The Philippine and Australian governments reaffirmed their shared commitments to counterterrorism and the prevention of violent extremism following the December 14 Bondi Beach incident.
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 6, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) expressed gratitude for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s acknowledgment of the cooperation provided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Philippine law enforcement agencies.
“I also want to take the opportunity to thank… President Marcos, my friend… the President of the Philippines as well. Through him, the agencies in the Philippines have done everything they can to provide information in a timely way, and that’s a good thing,” Albanese said in a recent press conference.
Following the Australian leader’s remarks, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro said the Philippines remains committed to enhancing intelligence and law enforcement cooperation with Australia and other foreign partners.
Their statements come in response to reports suggesting that the suspected gunmen involved in the deadly Bondi Beach attack received military training in the Philippines.
The DFA also noted the Australian Federal Police Commissioner’s initial assessment of the Philippine National Police, noting that “there is no evidence to suggest they received training or underwent logistical preparation for their alleged attack”.
The Commissioner further indicated that “there is no evidence to suggest these alleged offenders were part of a broader terrorist cell or were directed by others to carry out an attack,” while emphasizing that this assessment is still under investigation.
Both countries pledged to continue working together to address transnational security threats, including terrorism, through sustained information sharing, operational coordination, and capacity-building initiatives.
To recall, on December 17, on December 17, the DFA had previously committed to enhancing cooperation in law enforcement, in light of the alleged gunmen staying in the country for approximately a month.
Malacañang also stated that the Philippines “strongly rejects” any claims suggesting that the two gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach shooting traveled to the Philippines to receive training from groups associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), labeling these insinuations as “sweeping and misleading.”
