The Bondi Beach Shooters Philippines Connection: A Month in Davao and the ISIS Shadow

It's a mystery that contradicts the typical tourist profile. The investigation into the Dec 14 Bondi Beach massacre, which claimed 15 lives, is now centering on a month-long trip the shooters took to the Philippines. According to ABC News, evidence recovered from Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram's vehicle—including homemade ISIS flags and IEDs—strongly suggests a link to global jihadist networks.

Investigating the Bondi Beach shooters Philippines connection

The focus lies on Davao City, Mindanao, where the father-son duo stayed before the attack. While Australian officials initially suggested the men received "military-style training," the Philippines' National Security Adviser, Eduardo Año, dismissed these claims as "outdated." He asserted that ISIS-affiliated groups in the region have been "significantly degraded" since 2017. Despite this, Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett remains skeptical, stating she's not suggesting they were there for tourism.

From Physical Camps to Logistical Hubs

The Guardian reported that Naveed Akram opened an X account based in the Philippines, posting cryptic videos of walls and beaches. Counterterrorism scholar Rommel Banlaoi suggests that Davao City may now serve as a non-military "logistical and planning hub." In these urban spaces, individuals can meet contacts and consume propaganda in private, far from the watchful eyes of jungle patrols.

Lydia Khalil of the Lowy Institute notes that ISIS's organizational model in 2025 is elastic, morphing into online subcultures that reach vulnerable youth through instant messaging. While the group's Telegram channel praised the Bondi attack, it stopped short of claiming official responsibility, a hallmark of the new decentralized radicalization.