Overview
- Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigators have found no evidence the father‑and‑son suspects were part of a wider terrorist cell or received training during their November stay in Davao.
- Preliminary checks with Philippine authorities indicate the pair rarely left their hotel, with Barrett adding the visit was not for tourism as inquiries into their purpose continue.
- Naveed Akram remains in custody facing dozens of charges including 15 counts of murder, while his father Sajid Akram was shot dead by police during the Dec. 14 attack.
- Police say the attack was inspired by Islamic State, citing months of planning, firearms training images, and an October video recorded in front of an ISIS flag.
- Victims’ families have urged a Commonwealth royal commission into rising antisemitism and security failures, while the prime minister backs a federal review, supports an NSW inquiry, and advances tougher gun laws including a large buyback.