DAVAO CITY(January 8) — Authorities in the Davao Region are verifying mobile phone signal detections in Cotabato province linked to two suspects in the deadly Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, as Philippine police underscore the country’s role in transnational security cooperation.
The Police Regional Office–Davao Region (PRO-Davao) confirmed it is coordinating with intelligence units in Cotabato to determine whether the signals associated with Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, corresponded to actual movements or were the result of a technological anomaly.
PRO-Davao spokesperson Catherine Dela Rey said tracing remains ongoing, noting that digital backtracking is time-consuming and often complicated by erased CCTV footage.
Investigators have so far declined to disclose when the signals appeared, citing operational sensitivity.
No firearms, no training links
Police also dismissed online claims that the suspects purchased firearms or trained in Davao City. According to Dela Rey, CCTV footage from a local gun shop showed the two only visited the establishment and made no purchase.
Coordination with firing ranges in the city likewise yielded no records or video evidence indicating that the suspects engaged in firearms practice or military-style training.
Authorities have not validated reports that the two visited Panabo City, noting that their movements in Davao City were documented and that similar proof would likely exist if they had traveled elsewhere in the region.
Cross-border security coordination
Australian personnel also traveled to Davao City to assist local authorities in retracing the suspects’ movements, identifying possible contacts, and assessing whether any operational planning occurred during their stay.
Police did not confirm whether the visitors were members of Australian law enforcement but said coordination with Australian counterparts remains active.
The suspects entered the Philippines from Sydney on November 1, 2025, and left on November 28, 2025. Police said they spent most of their 28-day stay inside a hotel in Davao City and had limited interaction with others.
Counterterrorism context
While investigators stress that no evidence has emerged linking the suspects to local armed groups or training networks, the case highlights how the Philippines can become an incidental transit or monitoring point in global security investigations.
Security analysts note that mobile signal tracing, hotel records, and CCTV reviews are standard counterterrorism tools used to establish whether suspects exploited gaps in surveillance or logistics while abroad.
Philippine authorities said the ongoing probe is aimed at ruling out such vulnerabilities rather than attributing blame.
In Australia, the Akrams are accused of carrying out the mass shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach, which left at least 15 people dead and 42 others wounded.
For local communities, police said the investigation underscores the importance of international intelligence-sharing and vigilance—while also cautioning against misinformation that could stigmatize cities or regions without factual basis.
