An exclusive investigation has revealed new details about the Philippines trip taken by the alleged perpetrators of the Bondi Beach terror attack, with police focusing on their month-long stay at a hotel in Davao City.
The Hotel Stay: A Four-Week Isolation
Naveed and Sajid Akram checked into the GV Hotel in Davao City on 1 November 2025, initially booking a seven-night stay online. According to hotel worker Jenelyn Sayson, the father and son subsequently extended their visit multiple times, paying in cash, before finally checking out on 28 November.
Their entire four-week visit to the Philippines was spent in Davao City. Ms Sayson told Sky News the pair rarely left their small, sparse hotel room, which contained two single beds and a TV. "Their daily routine consisted of in and out of the hotel, with the longest time spent outside being about one hour," she said. Staff observed them in the hotel every day and believe they did not travel outside the city.
Expanding Police Investigation
Philippine authorities confirmed a multi-agency probe is actively working to verify the suspects' movements. Police Major Catherine Dela Rey, spokesperson for the Police Regional Office 11, stated the investigation aims to determine "where they stayed, and who they may have met."
Officers from Task Force Davao visited the hotel on 17 December, showing staff a photograph which was immediately identified as one of the guests. Authorities requested CCTV footage, but recordings from November had already been automatically deleted. While the region is historically linked to Islamic militancy, police assured the public that Davao remains peaceful.
The investigation is also examining whether the men travelled to Mirawi Linao del Sur, as suggested by a military source. Sajid Akram, 50, entered the Philippines on an Indian passport, while his 24-year-old son Naveed used an Australian passport.
A Community in Mourning
The mass shooting at a Hanukkah event in Bondi occurred just over two weeks after the pair left the Philippines, on 14 December 2025. Naveed Akram has since been charged with 59 counts in Australia, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act. His father was shot dead by police during the attack.
As the international investigation expands, funerals for the 15 victims are being held. This included the funeral of 10-year-old Matilda, the youngest victim. Mourners celebrated her life, symbolised by her middle name 'Bee', with yellow toys, bee stickers and balloons. Rabbi Yehoram Ulman told attendees her murder felt "as if our own daughter was taken from us."
