Sydney Massacre Suspects Spent Weeks in Seclusion at Philippine Budget Hotel Before Attack

Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed, 24, accused of carrying out Australia's deadliest terrorist attack by gunning down 15 people at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney's Bondi Beach on December 14, 2025, had spent nearly a month in seclusion at a budget hotel in Davao City, Philippines, just weeks prior. The attack, described by authorities as inspired by Islamic State ideology, targeted the Jewish community and left dozens injured, marking the nation's worst mass shooting in decades.

The duo arrived in the Philippines on November 1, 2025, listing Davao as their destination, and checked into room 315 at the GV Hotel, paying around $16 per night for a modest room equipped with two single beds. Philippine immigration records confirm Sajid entered on an Indian passport, while Naveed used an Australian one; they departed on November 28, returning to Sydney shortly before the massacre.

Hotel staff portrayed the men as highly reclusive, seldom leaving their room for more than an hour daily and shunning social interactions. Night desk manager Angelica Ytang, 20, described them as unapproachable compared to other foreign guests, noting limited conversations only with Naveed, while Sajid consistently avoided eye contact and appeared withdrawn.

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Rare excursions included an unsuccessful quest for durian, the spiky Southeast Asian fruit, and brief walks around the area. Staff reported no visitors, no meetings with locals, and no use of vehicles, with the pair simply wandering on foot. Philippine police investigations indicate the Akrams remained in Davao City throughout their stay, finding no evidence of travel to militant hotspots or extremist training in Mindanao.

Upon checkout, the pair surprised staff with a gesture of kindness, returning a forgotten deposit as a tip. Ytang recounted Naveed accepting the money before Sajid instructed him to hand it over, with Naveed affirming it was for her. She expressed disbelief, stating they seemed polite and considerate, making it difficult to reconcile with their identification in news coverage of the Sydney attack. Australian investigators continue probing potential radicalization links, while Philippine authorities deny any indication the country facilitated terrorist activities.

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