The Embassy of Canada in the Philippines has clarified that its travel advisory for the Philippines, particularly for parts of Mindanao, is not connected to reports linking the Bondi Beach mass killing in Sydney, Australia, to travel in the country.
The embassy, through its public affairs department, stressed that Canada’s travel advice was “not specifically for the Philippines but for other countries and territories as well.”
Canada advised its citizens on Thursday to “exercise a high degree of caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.”
For Western Mindanao, Canadian authorities advised against all travel to several provinces due to what it described as a serious threat of terrorism, kidnapping, high levels of crime, and violent clashes between security forces and rebel groups. These provinces include Basilan, Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Sarangani, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay.
Canadians were also advised to avoid non-essential travel to Central and Eastern Mindanao, particularly in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur excluding Davao City, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, and Surigao del Sur.
ABC News Australia earlier reported that the Bondi attackers, Naveed and Sajid Akram, who killed 15 Australians on 14 December, had traveled to the southern Philippines and allegedly underwent militant training.
On Wednesday, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the father and son arrived in the Philippines on 1 November, declaring Davao City as their destination.
“They left the country on November 28, 2025, on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination,” Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.
Sandoval said Sajid entered the Philippines using an Indian passport, while his son, Naveed, entered on an Australian passport.