Bondi Attack Suspects Lived Quietly in Philippines Before Deadly Sydney Shooting

Post by : Saif Nasser

Fresh information has come out about the movements of the two men accused of carrying out the deadly attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. A hotel worker in the Philippines has recalled that the suspects stayed mostly inside their room, avoided people, and showed little interest in their surroundings during their stay in Davao City last month.

The suspects, Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, are accused of killing 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach on December 14. The attack left Australia in shock and raised serious concerns about antisemitism and extremist violence.

Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene. His son Naveed survived after being placed in a coma and later charged with dozens of offences, including murder and terrorism. Australian authorities believe the attack was inspired by the extremist group Islamic State.

Before the shooting, the father and son travelled to the southern Philippines. They stayed at the GV Hotel, located in the busy downtown area of Davao City. According to a hotel employee who spoke anonymously, the two men were very quiet and kept away from others.

The worker said the pair rarely left their room. When they did go out, it was usually around 9 a.m., and they returned after just over an hour. Unlike many foreign guests who often talk to hotel staff, the two suspects did not engage in conversation.

“They did not talk much at all,” the worker said. “Most guests are friendly, but they kept to themselves.”

Hotel management confirmed that the men booked their stay through a third party. They were originally scheduled to arrive in mid-November but arrived earlier, on November 1. They first booked a room for seven days and then extended their stay three more times. All payments were made in cash.

The staff member said there were only two brief interactions with Naveed Akram. On one occasion, he asked if the hotel sold bottled water. On another, he asked where he could buy durian, a well-known local fruit. Other than these moments, he had no real contact with staff.

The worker said they had no memory of any interaction with Sajid Akram.

The hotel employee also said the men had no visitors at any time. No one entered their room, and they did not bring guests inside. When they went out, Sajid carried a backpack while Naveed carried a shoulder bag. The staff could not tell what was inside the bags.

Philippine authorities are now examining what the two men did during their stay. However, officials have said there is no sign that the suspects received any form of extremist training in the country.

Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said the suspects did not spend enough time outside the hotel to travel to other parts of Mindanao. He said this made it highly unlikely that they met with militant groups or took part in training.

Año also said the security situation in southern Philippines has improved greatly since the Marawi siege in 2017. He noted that only a few small militant groups remain active in the region.

Local Muslim leaders also denied any connection with the suspects. Abubacar Camid, who leads a nearby mosque, said the community checked security camera footage as soon as they heard about the case.

“We did not see them here,” Camid said. “We carefully monitor all new faces.”

Residents of Davao expressed concern that the suspects’ visit could harm the city’s reputation. Many people in Mindanao have worked hard for years to show that the region is peaceful and safe.

“I feel disappointed,” said John Edward Mier, a recent graduate. “Mindanao has been trying to move forward and leave the past behind.”

The suspects’ quiet stay highlights how difficult it can be to identify threats before violence occurs. Investigators in Australia and the Philippines continue to share information as they try to understand the full picture behind the Bondi Beach attack.