The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) expressed doubts over claims that the father-and-son shooters behind a deadly attack in Australia underwent militant training in the Philippines.

This comes despite confirmation from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that Sajid Akraam and his son, Naveed, visited Davao City in November, weeks before carrying out a mass shooting during a Jewish event at Bondi Beach on December 14. The attack left 15 people dead.

In a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla emphasized that Philippine-based terrorist groups are currently experiencing what he described as a “leadership vacuum,” making it unlikely that foreign militants could have received organized training locally.

"1,200 numbers of local terrorist group nasa 50 na lang tayo 2016 to 2025 mayroon na silang leadership vacuum, wala na silang capability to engage in major attrocist ang ang highlight natin dito we have open our areas particularly in Mindanao," Padilla said.

According to RH Edniel Parrosa's report on dzRH's Rapido Hatwa Balita, Padilla noted that since the height of the 2017 Marawi Siege, the number of members belonging to local terrorist groups has significantly declined — from an estimated 1,257 fighters to about 50 remaining individuals.

Malacañang also rejected foreign media characterizations of the Philippines as a continuing “terrorist hotspot,” stressing that the country has made substantial gains in dismantling extremist networks.

Meanwhile, the Philippine security sector said investigations are ongoing into the places visited and individuals contacted by the two gunmen during their stay in the country. Authorities clarified that Akraam and his son entered the Philippines as tourists.

Officials reiterated that there is, so far, no evidence linking local terror groups to the Bondi Beach attack.