Philippines confirms visit by alleged Bondi gunmen amid terrorism concerns

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration said on Tuesday that the two alleged gunmen behind the mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach travelled to the Philippines, just weeks before the assault that killed 15 people.

The attack on Sunday was Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years, and is being investigated as an act of terrorism.

The death toll stands at 16 including one of the alleged gunmen, identified by police as Sajid Akram, 50, who was shot by police. The man's 24-year-old son and alleged accomplice, identified by local media as Naveed Akram, was in critical condition in hospital after also being shot.

Australian police said on Tuesday both men had travelled to the Philippines last month and the purpose of the trip is under investigation.

Philippines immigration officials said both men travelled to Manila and onward to Davao on November 1 and left on November 28. The father travelled on an Indian passport, while the son was on an Australian passport, officials said. It was not immediately clear what activities they undertook in the Philippines or whether they travelled elsewhere after landing in Davao, a city in Mindanao, a region where terrorist groups, including ISIS-linked factions, have operated.

While the Armed Forces of the Philippines is validating the reports, its spokesperson said in a statement the military is closely coordinating with relevant agencies on matters involving the movements of foreign nationals and potential terrorist ties.

"Early indications point to a terrorist attack inspired by IS (terror group), allegedly committed by a father and son," Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said at a news conference. "These are the alleged actions of those who have aligned themselves with a terrorist organisation, not a religion."

Police also said the vehicle which is registered to the younger male contained improvised explosive devices and two homemade flags associated with ISIS designated by Australia and many other countries as a terrorist organisation.

The father and son allegedly fired upon hundreds of people at the festival during a roughly 10-minute killing spree at one of Australia's top tourist destinations, forcing people to flee and take shelter before both were shot by police.

MEMORIAL OF FLOWERS

Some 25 survivors are receiving care in several Sydney hospitals, officials said.

Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon visited Bondi on Tuesday and urged the Australian government to take all required steps to secure the lives of Jews in Australia.

At Bondi, the beach was open on Tuesday but was largely empty under overcast skies, as a growing memorial of flowers was established at the Bondi Pavilion, metres from the location of the shootings.

Bondi is Sydney's best-known beach, located about 8.2 km from the city centre, and draws hundreds of thousands of international tourists each year.

Olivia Robertson, 25, visited the memorial before work. "This is the country that our grandparents have come to for us to feel safe and to have opportunity," she said. "And now this has happened right here in our backyard. It's pretty shocking."