The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Malacañang have pushed back against reports linking the country to the Bondi Beach shooters, stressing that there is no evidence of terrorist training, recruitment, or large-scale attacks in the Philippines.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said on Wednesday that intelligence assessments show local terrorist groups have been significantly weakened over the past decade. Key leaders of the Abu Sayyaf Group, Maute Group, and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters have been neutralized, arrested, or surrendered since 2017.

Remaining members are fragmented, largely defensive, and lack the capability to conduct organized training or major attacks. Militant manpower has dropped from over 1,200 members in 2016 to around 50 in 2025.

Padilla credited the government’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism initiatives, which promote peaceful surrender, reintegration, livelihood support, and collaboration with local leaders, for reducing vulnerability to extremist recruitment and strengthening grassroots resilience.

The warnings follow reports that father-and-son duo Sajid Akram, 50, and Naveed Akram, 24, allegedly traveled to the Philippines in November before the deadly Hanukkah attack at Bondi Beach in Sydney that killed 15 people.

Philippine authorities confirmed the pair arrived from Australia on 1 November, declared Davao City as their destination, and left on 28 November via Manila. Sajid used an Indian passport, while Naveed used an Australian passport.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is verifying their movements, accommodations, and contacts in the country.

PNP Chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators are tracking where they went, whom they met, and why they traveled, noting that this is critical to identifying possible motives and potential accomplices.

Malacañang dismissed media reports portraying the Philippines — and Mindanao in particular — as a terrorism hotspot.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said, “The President strongly rejects this sweeping and misleading characterization of the Philippines as an ISIS training hub.” The National Security Council (NSC) added that local violence in Mindanao is largely driven by historical conflicts and clan disputes, not ISIS-linked operations.

The military’s Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) echoed the NSC, stating there are no terrorist training grounds in Davao City or elsewhere in Mindanao.

Lt. Col. Salvacion Evangelista assured the public, “We can confirm that the Eastern Mindanao Command area is free from these terrorists.”

PRO-XI spokesperson Maj. Catherine de la Rey also said the city remains peaceful through strong cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies.

Both AFP and NSC emphasized that Philippine authorities are working closely with international partners to verify intelligence, ensure no security gaps remain, and focus on justice for the victims in Australia rather than speculation that misrepresents the country’s security situation.