The Philippine government has said it found no evidence of any “terrorist training” linked to the visit of suspects involved in the Bondi shooting in Australia, pushing back against speculation that the attackers may have received extremist instruction while in the country.
In a statement issued by Philippine security authorities, officials said a thorough review of immigration records, intelligence inputs, and coordination with Australian counterparts revealed no links between the individuals and any terrorist groups or training camps operating in the Philippines. Authorities stressed that the visit in question appeared to be routine and did not raise red flags at the time.
The clarification comes after reports in Australian media suggested that the Bondi gunmen had travelled to Southeast Asia in the past, prompting questions about whether the trip could have involved radicalisation or weapons training. Philippine officials said such claims were unfounded and risk unfairly associating the country with acts of violence carried out elsewhere.
“Our investigation has found no indication that the individuals underwent any form of terrorist training while in the Philippines,” a senior security official said, adding that the country remains committed to international counterterrorism cooperation and information-sharing.
The Philippines has long battled its own insurgent and extremist groups, particularly in the southern regions, but officials emphasised that significant progress has been made in dismantling training networks and monitoring foreign visitors. They noted that security agencies maintain close surveillance of known hotspots and coordinate with regional and global partners to prevent misuse of the country for extremist activities.
Australian authorities have acknowledged receiving cooperation from Manila and said investigations into the Bondi attack remain focused on domestic factors, including the gunmen’s background, motives, and access to firearms.
Analysts say the Philippine government’s swift response reflects sensitivity to reputational risks and a desire to avoid diplomatic fallout. They warn that premature conclusions about foreign links can complicate investigations and strain regional relationships.
As the probe into the Bondi shooting continues, Philippine officials reiterated that they are open to further collaboration and will act decisively if any credible evidence emerges. For now, they insist, there is no basis to link the tragedy to terrorist activity or training in the Philippines.