Alleged Sydney Gunmen Traced to Philippines

Two alleged gunmen involved in Sydney's Bondi Beach mass shooting traveled to the Philippines weeks before the attack. The Filipino and Australian governments are investigating potential terrorist links to the Jewish-targeted incident, considered Australia's worst mass shooting in decades.

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration confirmed that two individuals, suspected of carrying out a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach, traveled to the Philippines early in November. Sajid Akram, 50, traveling on an Indian passport, and his son, 24-year-old Naveed Akram, on an Australian passport, both arrived from Sydney to Manila aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR212.

The father and son duo returned to Sydney on November 28, a few weeks prior to a tragic assault that claimed 15 lives, marking it as Australia's most severe mass shooting in nearly three decades. Authorities have labeled the incident as a terrorist act aimed at the Jewish community.

The activities of the Akrams in the Philippines, especially in Davao, remain ambiguous. The region is known for the past presence of terrorist groups, including ISIS affiliates. The Philippine Armed Forces is currently evaluating all available information while cooperating with global agencies to understand any potential terrorist links.

(With inputs from agencies.)