Details of the Sydney attack: The perpetrators traveled to the Philippines using Indian passports
New investigations and official statements issued by the Philippine Department of Immigration in Manila on Tuesday revealed alarming details about the movements of the perpetrators of the deadly Sydney attack. Authorities confirmed that the man and his son, responsible for one of the deadliest mass shootings in modern Australian history, spent almost the entire month of November in the Philippines, raising serious questions about the pre-planning of the operation.
Trip details and Indian passport
Dana Sandoval, a spokeswoman for the Philippine immigration department, told AFP that the suspects arrived in the country from Sydney. "Sajid Akram, 50, who entered the country as an Indian national, and his son, Naveed Akram, 24, an Australian national, arrived in the Philippines together on November 1, 2025," she said. Official records indicate their final destination was the southern province of Davao, before they left the country on November 28, shortly before the attack.
Security and geographical context: Why Davao?
The choice of Davao province as the attackers' final destination adds a serious security dimension to the investigation. Davao is located on the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, a region historically plagued by complex security challenges and the activity of various armed groups. Despite significant improvements in security in recent years, the area remains under close scrutiny by international intelligence agencies. The fact that the attackers spent a full month there raises concerns among investigators about the possibility that they received training or held meetings with extremist elements, a matter currently being investigated by Australian and Philippine intelligence services.
The Bundy attack and its impact on the Australian interior
Sajid and Naveed Akram are the prime suspects in the horrific attack on Sydney's famous Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations. The attack left 15 people dead and dozens injured, causing widespread shock in Australia, a country generally known for its high level of security.
This incident brings back painful memories from Australian history, specifically the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, a turning point that prompted the government to enact stricter gun control laws. The recent Sydney attack is expected to trigger a new wave of even stricter legislation, not only regarding firearms but also immigration and border control, especially given that one of the perpetrators used a foreign (Indian) passport to facilitate his international travel.
International repercussions and intelligence cooperation
Internationally, this incident underscores the importance of security cooperation among Asia-Pacific nations. The suspects' seamless movement between Australia and the Philippines, and their use of multinational travel documents, highlight vulnerabilities that criminal elements could exploit. The coming period will likely see high-level coordination between Canberra, Manila, and New Delhi to share information on suspicious traveler movements, in an effort to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies, whose impact transcends national borders.
