In a significant development, local Muslim leaders in Davao City, Philippines, have decided to display images of the Bondi gunmen, Sajid and Naveed Akram, in at least 70 mosques. This initiative aims to gather information about the duo’s activities during their month-long visit prior to the tragic shooting that claimed 15 lives in Australia.
Community Response and Safety Measures
On Sunday, Sheikh Muhammad Yusop Pasigan, the most senior Islamic cleric in the Davao region, emphasized the importance of community involvement in addressing the situation. He described the Akrams as “no good – not good people” and urged community members to report any relevant information to the police. “We will post this above the doors of our mosques, front and back,” he stated, referring to the Akrams’ images. Additionally, the community plans to record the details and identification of newcomers at the mosques to enhance security.
The Akrams’ movements in Davao from November 1 to November 28 are currently under investigation by Philippine authorities. So far, the inquiry has produced limited results, including a few CCTV images that hint at their activities. According to the Philippines National Police, Sajid Akram, aged 50, was seen visiting local gun shops, and footage showed the pair engaging in light exercise near their hotel.
Investigative Developments and Local Context
Reports indicate that Naveed Akram, aged 24, was captured on video walking near the hotel during early morning hours. Investigators are also exploring a potential connection to two other individuals from Sydney who were in Davao during the Akrams’ stay, although no confirmed links have emerged yet.
Davao City, while typically not a major tourist destination, attracts Australian visitors, particularly surfers heading to Siargao Island. Despite its predominantly Catholic population, it is the largest city on the island of Mindanao, where Islamist militant activity has historically occurred. The Philippine government has recently countered media portrayals of Mindanao as a stronghold for violent extremism, asserting that Islamic State-affiliated groups have been “fragmented, deprived of leadership, and operationally degraded.”
Staff at the GV Hotel, where the Akrams stayed for 27 days, reported that the men only left their room for short periods each day, suggesting limited movement outside the hotel. Sheikh Pasigan noted that he has no information regarding the presence of extremist elements within Davao, but he plans to meet with other senior Islamic leaders to discuss ways to disseminate information about the Bondi shooters within the Muslim community.
Regional police director Leon Victor Rosete confirmed that investigators are conducting “backtracking operations” to identify individuals the Akrams interacted with and to explore any potential support networks. The ongoing investigation highlights the urgency of addressing security concerns within the community as authorities work to piece together the events leading to the tragic incident in Australia.
