Officials in the Philippines have provided new details regarding the movements of the suspected gunmen involved in the Bondi Beach attack during their extended stay in the country.
The pair, a father and son duo, are facing accusations of orchestrating a fatal assault at a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, earlier this week. Reports indicate that prior to this incident, they had traveled to Davao City for a four-week visit to the Philippines. Philippine authorities have confirmed that the two spent nearly the entire month of November in the country.
According to The Guardian, both Philippine law enforcement and hotel personnel observed that the father and son seldom left their hotel room, only stepping out for short periods. It was also noted that they did not socialize with other guests nor did they receive any visitors during their stay.
There has been speculation regarding the possibility that the duo visited the Philippines to obtain training from Islamist groups reportedly active in the region. However, officials have dismissed these claims.
Mourners lay flowers at a memorial at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, on December 15, 2025. (AAP/Bianca De Marchi via Reuters)
The Philippine Bureau of Investigation disclosed on Tuesday that the accused gunmen arrived in the Philippines on November 1 via Philippine Airlines Flight PR212 from Sydney to Manila before proceeding to Davao. They departed the Philippines on November 28, just weeks prior to the alleged attack at Bondi Beach.
Davao City is located on the island of Mindanao, which has been under a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory since May. However, the State Department said Davao City, in addition to a few other locations, is an exception to the advisory.
“Terrorist and armed groups in Mindanao have historically engaged in kidnappings for ransom, in addition to bombings and other attacks. These incidents often target foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens, as well as civilians, local government entities, and security forces,” the State Department’s advisory reads.
A note is left attached to a flower at a tribute for shooting victims outside the Bondi Pavilion at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
In 2017, Islamic State-inspired militants stormed Marawi, the capital of Lanao del Sur province in the Muslim-majority Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao. Reuters reported that the siege of Marawi displaced approximately 350,000 residents and left more than 1,100 dead, most of whom were militants.
The city is currently under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory, with the State Department warning that “civilians face risk of death or injury from ongoing clashes between terrorist group remnants and Philippine security forces in Marawi.”
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) noted that while the influence and strength of Islamic State-aligned groups has declined in recent years, the Philippines military has had infrequent clashes with remnants of the groups.
Family members of a victim from Sunday’s shooting mourn at a flower memorial made after the shooting at Bondi Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025, in Sydney, Australia. (Mark Baker/AP Photo)
The Bondi Beach attack unfolded on Sunday as gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah celebration, killing at least 15 and leaving dozens injured. The older gunman, who was the younger gunman’s father, died at the scene.
On Wednesday, New South Wales Police announced the 59 charges against the 24-year-old surviving suspected gunman, including “commit terrorist act,” 15 counts of murder, 40 counts of “cause wounding/grievous bodily harm to person with intent to murder,” “discharge firearm etc intend cause grievous bodily harm,” “cause public display of prohibited terrorist org symbol” and “place explosive in/near building with intent to cause harm.”
NSW Police said the alleged gunman is still hospitalized and under police guard.
