Lazaro talks to Australian counterpart after Bondi shooting
DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro keynotes the Philippines' high-level meeting on Loss and Damage at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has gotten in touch with her Australian counterpart following a terror attack that killed 15 in Bondi Beach in Sydney.
In a post on X, Lazaro said she spoke by phone with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Tuesday, Dec. 16, as she conveyed her condolences to the Australian people.
“[The Philippines] stands firmly in solidarity with [Australia] and underscores strong PHL-AUS cooperation in security and enforcement matters,” she said.
Lazaro coordinated with Wong as the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that the two suspects in Bondi shooting—a father and a son—entered the Philippines in November through Manila. They allegedly declared Davao as their destination, BI said.
"We reaffirm our support for efforts that protect communities from intolerance, hatred, and violence," she added.