Manila: The Philippines and Australia’s top diplomats have agreed to “keep each other closely informed” of any developments related to the probe into the Bondi Beach shooting, said the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday. Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong made the agreement during a phone call on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, “The Philippines stands firmly in solidarity with Australia and underscores strong Philippine-Australia cooperation in security and law enforcement matters,” Lazaro stated on X. She further added, “We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred, and violence.” During the same call, the Filipino official expressed her sincere condolences to the Australian people over the Bondi Beach tragedy.

The alleged gunmen, identified by local media as Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, were reported to have traveled to the Philippines last month, but the purpose of their trip is still under investigation. When asked for more details about Lazaro and Wong’s call, Foreign Affairs spokesperson Angelica Escalona reiterated that the two officials reassured each other of “continued security and law enforcement cooperation, and to keep each other closely informed of any developments in the investigation.”