The pair of accused individuals who carried out the lethal shooting at a Jewish gathering on Bondi Beach, that took 15 lives, are believed to have acted alone, according to national police.
Investigators further stated that Sajid Akram, 50, and his son Naveed Akram, 24, travelled to the Philippines on 1 November. Their travel plans involved arriving in the main city Manila before traveling onward on the day of arrival to Davao City. The duo returned to Sydney on 29 November.
Police indicate the individuals did not partake in any form of attack-related coaching or "organizing" during their stay in the Philippines. Initial investigations from Philippine officials indicate they "rarely left" their accommodation.
The attack—labeled as Australia's worst firearm massacre since 1996—has been officially designated a terrorist incident.
"We are currently reviewing the footage," the commissioner stated, explaining that early assessments indicate that "the two men are suspected to have operated independently."
National law enforcement Chief Krissy Barrett told reporters on Tuesday that surveillance material showing the accused attackers' movements in the Philippines had been provided to Australian authorities.
"Our investigation shows no evidence to indicate these accused individuals were affiliated with a wider network, or were acting on orders from external parties to execute an incident," the police chief said.
However, the pair were also not in the Philippines as tourists, the official clarified. She stressed that, given that the investigation is still active, additional details could emerge.
Earlier, the nation's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it seems both alleged attackers were "inspired by Islamic State" extremist views.
During the attack, Sajid Akram was fatally shot by responding officers. He and his son Naveed—reportedly carrying rifles—allegedly shot participants at the Jewish festival event.
Naveed Akram, who was injured and taken to hospital after the attack, has been charged with 59 offences. These comprise 15 charges of murder and one count of carrying out a act of terrorism. He is due to appear in court in April.
In the wake following the shooting, immigration authorities in the Philippines reported that the father had entered the country using an foreign passport, while his younger suspect used an Australian passport.
The duo had declared the southern city of Davao as their final destination. Their booked return flight to Australia was for Sydney.
Davao is a sprawling urban center on the east of Mindanao, the Philippines' main southern island. Historically, Islamist groups have been known to operate in impoverished parts of southern and western Mindanao.
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