Bondi Beach gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram flew to the Philippines for "military-style training" in the weeks leading up to the massacre, Australian security sources have confirmed.
The father-son duo, who killed 15 people after targeting a Hanukkah festival in Sydney on Sunday, arrived in the Philippines on November 1, according to Philippine and Australian officials.
Philippines Immigration Bureau revealed that the pair stayed in the country for four weeks, traveling to the city of Davao in the southern island of Mindanao.
The city lies just 120 miles away from Lanao del Sur, a known hub for Islamic State-linked groups and other militant organisations, including Abu Sayyaf.
The father-son duo killed 15 people after targeting a Hanukkah festival in Sydney
|X
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The father and son travelled to Cagayan de Oro before making a visit to the predominantly Muslim town of Marawi a few days later.
Bureau of Immigration spokeswoman Dana Sandoval said: "They left the country on November 28, 2025, on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination."
Ms Sandoval also revealed that Sajid Akram entered the Philippines using an Indian passport, while his son used an Australian passport.
The pair underwent military training while they were in the country, a counter-terrorism official told ABC News.
Philippines Immigration Bureau revealed that the pair travelled to Davao in the southern island of Mindanao
|GETTY
Investigators are probing the father and son’s links to a global jihadist network.
They are also believed to be in possession of the duo's credit cards and SIM cards that were used during the trip.
Abu Sayyaf, based in Mindanao, has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and is accused of carrying out bombings and killing civilians and government troops.
On Tuesday, New South Wales police commissioner Mal Lanyon said: “The reasons why they went to the Philippines and the purpose of that and where they went when they were there is under investigation at the moment.”
BONDI BEACH ATTACK - READ THE LATEST:
Abu Sayyaf has pledged allegiance to Islamic State and is accused of carrying out bombings and assassinations
|ABU SAYYAF
He confirmed that two Islamic State flags were discovered in Naveed Akram's vehicle, alongside two incendiary explosive devices (IEDs).
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said that "early indications" suggested the pair had been "inspired by Islamic State".
She added: "These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion."
Videos have also emerged showing Naveed Akram preaching Islamic messages outside train stations in a Sydney suburb.
Mal Lanyon confirmed that two Islamic State flags were discovered in Naveed Akram's vehicle
|REUTERS
Akram was heard saying: “Spread the message that Allah is One wherever you can...whether it be raining, hailing or clear sky."
Another resurfaced video, posted by the Street Dawah Movement in 2019, shows the alleged killer instructing two young boys to pray more often.
Australia's intelligence agency, ASIO, had investigated the 24-year-old over his ties to members of a Sydney-based Islamic State terror cell.
Akram had shown ‘indications of intent’ and suspicious connections that were examined in 2019, but the agency concluded no further action was necessary, according to a senior security source.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
More From GB News