Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Bondi Beach Attack: Father-Son Duo's Philippines Visit Investigated
Two men, a father and his son, went to a place in the Philippines called Mindanao before they did a very bad thing in Australia.
They stayed in a small hotel room and didn't talk much to other people.
Later, they went to a beach in Australia called Bondi Beach and hurt many people.
Some people think they might have been inspired by a group called Islamic State.
A brave man named Amandeep helped stop one of the attackers.
The Philippines says there's no proof the men got any special training there.
Mindanao has had fights in the past, but things have been quieter recently.
The men came from different countries: the father from India and the son was born in Australia.
Many people are sad and scared because of what happened.
The father-son duo accused of the Bondi Beach attack stayed in room 315 of the GV Hotel in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines, from November 1 to November 28, 2023.
The suspects kept to themselves during their stay, with minimal interaction with hotel staff, and paid 930 pesos (about $16) per night for their accommodation.
Australian authorities are investigating potential links to Islamic militancy in the region, with at least two Islamic State flags found in their car, but Philippine officials state there is no evidence of terrorist training in the country.
The Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2023, resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries, including three Indian students, with the suspects targeting a Jewish festival celebration.
Amandeep Singh-Bola, a 34-year-old Indian-origin man, helped restrain one of the attackers, pinning him down with the help of a police officer, and described the harrowing experience of the attack.
- Who
- Father-son duo Sajid Akram (50) and Naveed Akram (24), Australian and Filipino investigators, Amandeep Singh-Bola (hero), victims of the Bondi Beach attack
- What
- Investigation into the suspects' trip to Mindanao, Philippines, and the Bondi Beach attack
- When
- Suspects visited the Philippines from November 1 to November 28, 2023; attack occurred on December 14, 2023
- Where
- Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines; Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia
- Why
- To investigate potential links to Islamic militancy and training in the region, and to understand the motives behind the Bondi Beach attack
- Suspects' Visit Duration
- November 1 to November 28, 2023
- Final Destination in Philippines
- Davao City, Mindanao
- Suspects' Accommodation
- Room 315, GV Hotel, Davao City
- Hotel Stay Cost
- 930 pesos (about $16) per night
- Suspects' Behavior in Hotel
- Kept to themselves, minimal interaction with staff
- Evidence of IS Link
- Islamic State flags in seized vehicle
- Philippine Security Official's Statement
- No evidence of training in the Philippines
- Historical Conflict Deaths
- Approximately 150,000 since the 1970s
- Recent Terror Group Activity
- Dawlah Islamiyah-Hassan in Maguindanao del Sur
- Attack Date
- December 14, 2023
- Victims
- 15 killed, 40 injured, including 3 Indian students
- Suspects' Background
- Sajid Akram (50, Indian citizen from Hyderabad), Naveed Akram (24, Australian citizen)
- Hero's Background
- Amandeep Singh-Bola, 34, Indian-origin, born in New Zealand, resident of Sydney
Sources
Davao: A Philippines Region With Terror History Visited By Bondi Accused
Australia promises new hate laws as youngest Bondi Beach shooting victim is laid to rest
Bondi Beach Attack Suspects Were In Philippines Hotel, Left A Tip On Way Out
‘We failed this baby’: Australia mourns Bondi’s youngest victim, Albanese vows crackdown
In Photos | A heartbreaking goodbye to Matilda, youngest victim of Bondi Beach terror attack
Australia's Bondi Beach gunmen stayed in room 315 during Philippines visit: Hotel staff revealed they...
After Bondi Beach Attack, Hard Questions For The Muslim World
Bondi Beach shooting: Indian-origin man, who helped restrain gunman Sajid Akram, recalls horror
‘They weren’t approachable like other foreigners’: Inside Bondi Beach attack suspects’ low-key stay in Philippines
Sydney Shooter Underwent Training On 'How To Hunt' At Gun Club For 5 Years
ISIS Calls Sydney Bondi Beach Shooting ‘Matter of Pride’, Does Not Claim Responsibility
Bondi Beach Gunman Sajid Akram Performed Nikah With His Wife Venus
ISIS calls Bondi Beach mass shooting ‘source of pride,’ stops short of claiming responsibility
