Philippines challenges ‘ISIS hotspot’ label following link to Bondi Beach gunmen

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the National Security Council (NSC) found no evidence supporting allegations that a father and son accused in the Bondi Beach attack in Sydney received terrorist training in the Philippines prior to the incident on December 14.

Castro said the President strongly objected to what he described as sweeping and misleading characterisations of the Philippines as an “ISIS training hotspot."

According to the NSC, there is currently no validated information confirming that the suspects underwent any form of extremist training while in the country, despite reports circulating in foreign media.

“The Philippine authorities, in coordination with international partners, continue to verify all available information, but no evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training,” the NSC said in a statement read by Castro.

This follows reports by overseas outlets that described the Philippines, particularly parts of the south, as an ISIS-linked training hub. 

For example, a New York Post report claimed the suspects had spent time in a “Third World ISIS hotspot” before the attack, citing unnamed sources. Separately, the New York Times reported that the suspects had travelled to southern Philippines, where ISIS-linked groups have operated, but said their activities there remained unclear.

The NSC said reports failed to reflect the current security situation in the Philippines, noting that ISIS-affiliated groups have been significantly weakened since the 2017 siege of Marawi.

It cited assessments by the United Nations and the United States government indicating that these groups now operate in a fragmented and diminished capacity, with violence in Mindanao largely driven by long-standing local conflicts and clan feuds rather than organised ISIS operations.

The council said the country’s domestic security environment had seen major improvements in recent years as a result of sustained counterterrorism efforts.

“These developments reflect the continued work of our security forces and the resilience of our communities in promoting peace, order and development across the nation,” the NSC said.

Castro added that Marcos has instructed the Anti-Terrorism Council and other security agencies to remain vigilant against any potential threats and to continue strengthening cooperation with international partners to protect national security.