The father-and-son duo accused of carrying out Sunday’s deadly Bondi Beach attack reportedly spent nearly a month secluded in a Philippine hotel, barely stepping outside and surviving largely on fast food, according to a hotel worker who spoke to CNN.
Sajid and Naveed Akram stayed at a modest hotel in Davao City throughout most of November, rarely leaving their rooms except for about an hour each day. A hotel staff member identified only as Jun said the pair maintained the same routine daily before returning indoors.
“They had no visitors during their stay,” Jun told CNN, adding that the men kept largely to themselves.
Investigators have since zeroed in on the Akrams’ trip to the Philippines as they attempt to uncover what motivated and prepared them for the antisemitic attack that left 15 people dead during a Jewish Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s iconic Bondi Beach.
Australian authorities have said they are urgently trying to determine the purpose of the men’s stay and whether it played any role in the attack.
Earlier reports by Australia’s public broadcaster, ABC, claimed counterterrorism officials believed the suspects may have undergone military-style training while in the Philippines.
However, Philippine authorities have denied those claims, stating there is currently no evidence to support them, while confirming ongoing cooperation with Australian investigators.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously said the attackers were influenced by “Islamic State ideology.” On Thursday, ISIS described the Bondi massacre as a “source of pride,” though the group stopped short of formally claiming responsibility.
Nearly a month in one location
Mindanao, where Davao City is located, is not a common destination for foreign tourists. Despite its natural attractions, the region has long been associated with militant activity, though experts say the threat has diminished in recent years.
Analysts told CNN that while extremist violence has declined, some armed Islamist groups remain active in remote parts of the Philippines and have historically trained foreign fighters.
Hotel records show the Akrams initially booked an eight-day stay at the GV Hotel starting November 1. Afterward, they extended their reservation until November 28, settling the balance in cash. The hotel is listed online as a one-star accommodation with basic amenities.
Davao police questioned hotel staff earlier this week as part of the investigation.
Jun described the two men as courteous guests who regularly greeted staff and allowed daily room cleaning. According to him, nothing suspicious was found in their rooms apart from discarded takeaway packaging from Jollibee, the popular local fast-food chain.
He later realized he had hosted the suspects after seeing images from the Bondi attack, noting that Naveed’s hair had been longer during his stay.
Philippine officials confirmed they are coordinating closely with Australian authorities.
“We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred, and violence,” Foreign Minister Theresa P. Lazaro wrote on X after speaking with her Australian counterpart.
Militancy under pressure
Philippine National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said Wednesday that investigations had uncovered no proof linking the suspects to militant training in Mindanao.
“There is no indicator or any information that they underwent training” in the region, Año said, according to the Associated Press.
He also criticized portrayals of southern Philippines as a center of extremism, calling them “outdated” and “misleading.”
Mindanao has endured decades of unrest, including clashes involving separatist movements and allegations of human rights abuses. In 2017, the Abu Sayyaf and Maute groups — the latter aligned with ISIS — seized Marawi City, triggering months of fighting and displacing more than 350,000 people before government forces regained control.
Since then, authorities say militant groups have been significantly weakened. The Philippines ranked 20th out of 79 countries in the 2025 Global Terrorism Index, compared with 9th place in 2019.
“The remnants of these groups have been fragmented, deprived of leadership, and operationally degraded,” Año said.
