A shocking revelation has emerged in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach tragedy, leaving authorities and the public alike grappling with new questions. The alleged gunmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram, had traveled to the Philippines a month before the deadly shooting incident.
But here's where it gets controversial: the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the Philippines is now coordinating with other agencies to retrace the steps of these individuals. Palmer Mallari, NBI's spokesperson, confirmed to the BBC that the father-son duo had visited Davao and potentially other areas in the country.
And this is the part most people miss: the NBI, often likened to the FBI in the US, was established in 1936, modeled after its American counterpart. So, their expertise in investigating such cases is not to be taken lightly.
At a glance, here's what else you need to know: Sajid, 50, traveled on an Indian passport, while Naveed, 24, used an Australian one. Border authorities in Manila provided this information to the BBC. It's also been reported that they received "military-style training" during their trip. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has suggested the attack was motivated by Islamic State ideology, and police have found homemade IS flags and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the gunmen's vehicle.
The victims of this horrific incident include a 10-year-old girl, a British-born rabbi, a retired police officer, and a Holocaust survivor. As of the latest update, 24 people are still receiving treatment for their injuries. Both Prime Minister Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns have vowed to tighten gun laws in response to this tragedy. Albanese has even hailed a man who wrestled a gun from one of the attackers as a "true Australian hero."
In a recent update, NSW Health reports that 24 individuals injured during the attack are still receiving hospital treatment. Three patients are listed as critical, while five are considered "critical but stable." The remaining patients are stable, and NSW Health has expressed its deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those affected.
It's important to note that one of the alleged gunmen was killed after the attack, and the other was hospitalized for injuries. It's unclear if the latter is included in the latest update.
The Philippine immigration bureau has revealed that the Akrams traveled to the Philippines from November 1st to November 28th. They declared Davao as their final destination and had a return flight booked to Sydney. Davao, a metropolis in southern Mindanao, has been known to host Islamist militants in its impoverished areas.
The Philippine military, however, couldn't immediately confirm reports of the Akrams receiving military-style training during their visit. Australian police are actively investigating this trip and its potential connection to the shooting.
Mourners have been gathering at a memorial site on Bondi Beach, and our correspondent reports that the community will need time to heal and return to the lively atmosphere that defines this iconic location.
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest developments from Bondi Beach. This story is far from over, and we encourage you to share your thoughts and reactions in the comments. Is there a link between the gunmen's trip to the Philippines and the shooting? What do you think should be done to prevent such tragedies in the future? We welcome your insights and perspectives.
