Marcos rejects terror training hotspot tag for PH after Bondi shooting

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday rejected claims that the Philippines is a terrorism training hotspot, stressing that security forces have acted decisively to dismantle terrorist networks and protect the country’s peace.

“We also reject in the strongest terms the recent misleading claims that portray our country as a training hotspot for terrorism,” Marcos said in his speech during the 90th Armed Forces of the Philippines Anniversary at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

READ: Bondi Beach attack: Palace slams claims PH is ISIS training ground

“For years, we have acted decisively to dismantle terrorist networks, to secure communities, and to sustain our hard-earned peace. To dismiss these gains with unfounded speculation is not acceptable,” the President pointed out.

“Nevertheless, we remain vigilant. We will not let deceptive narratives distract us nor weaken our resolve,” he added.

These remarks came after authorities confirmed that the gunmen behind the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach had stayed in the Philippines for nearly a month before returning to Australia.

Based on records from the Bureau of Immigration, the two shooters arrived in the country from Sydney on Nov. 1. 

“Both reported Davao as their final destination. They left the country on Nov. 28, on a connecting flight from Davao to Manila, with Sydney as their final destination,” Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday that the two men had likely been radicalized by “Islamic State (IS) ideology.”

The police reportedly found IS flags in their vehicle, raising suspicion of their links to the international terrorist group. /gsg