Alleged Bondi Gunmen Operated Alone and Received No Preparation in the Southeast Asian Nation, Investigators State.
The two alleged individuals responsible for the fatal attack at a Jewish event on Bondi Beach, which claimed 15 lives, appear to have acted alone, according to national police.
Authorities also confirmed that Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram journeyed to the Philippines on 1 November. Their itinerary involved landing in the main city Manila before transiting that same day to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
No Evidence of Planning During Trip
Investigators assert the duo did not receive any type of attack-related instruction or "planning" during their visit in the Philippines. Initial inquiries from local authorities indicate they "mostly stayed in" their accommodation.
The attack—declared Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been formally declared a act of terrorism.
"We are actively analyzing the footage," the commissioner said, explaining that initial assessments show that "these individuals are alleged to have been lone actors."
Australian Federal Police Chief Krissy Barrett informed the press on Tuesday that CCTV footage documenting the alleged gunmen's activities in the Philippines had been provided to domestic investigators.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these alleged offenders were part of a larger network, or were acting on orders from others to carry out an act of violence," the police chief said.
But, the men were also not in the Philippines on a leisure trip, she clarified. She emphasized that, since the inquiry is continuing, additional details might surface.
Motivation and Court Proceedings
Previously, Australian leader Anthony Albanese remarked it seems both alleged attackers were "motivated by ISIS" extremist views.
During the incident, Sajid Akram was shot dead by police. He and his son Naveed—equipped with firearms—are accused of having opened fire on guests at the Hanukkah event.
Naveed Akram, who was wounded after the attack, has been formally accused of 59 crimes. These include 15 counts of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is scheduled to appear in court in April.
Travel Details
In the days following the shooting, border authorities in the Philippines indicated that the older suspect had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his son used an domestic passport.
The duo had listed the southern city of Davao as their intended endpoint. Their scheduled journey back to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a expansive metropolis on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' primary island in the south. Historically, Islamist militants have reportedly operate in poorer parts of southern and western Mindanao.
