MANILA — Malacañang said on Wednesday that the Philippines “strongly rejects” the “sweeping and misleading” claims that the two (2) gunmen who killed people in Bondi Beach earlier this week had come to the country to train with organizations associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The statement was released by the Palace one day after Australian Police revealed that two homemade ISIS flags had been discovered in the father-and-son shooters’ car. Authorities quickly clarified that the reason for the attackers’ trip to the Philippines “remains under investigation.”

“The President strongly rejects the sweeping statements and the misleading characterization of the Philippines as the ISIS training hotspot,” When asked by reports and international news that the Bondi Beach suspects might have trained with terrorists in Mindanao, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro responded to Palace reporters.

“Maging mapanuri at responsable din po sa pagpapahayag lalo ito ay nakakaapekto sa integridad at imahe ng Pilipinas,” she said.

(Let’s exercise caution and responsibility when making statements, especially when they affect the integrity and image of the Philippines.)

Castro read a National Security Council (NSC) statement denouncing as untrue reports that described the Philippines as a hotbed for terrorism.

According to the NSC, “there are currently no validated reports or information that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach incident received any form of training in the Philippines.”

It further stated, “Philippine authorities, in coordination with international partners, continue to verify all available information but no evidence has been presented to support claims that the country was used for terrorist training.”

Since the Marawi Siege in 2017, “Philippine security forces have significantly degraded ISIS-affiliated groups in the country,” according to the Palace and the NSC.

“Both the United Nations and United States assessments indicate that these groups operate in a fragmented and diminished capacity,” Castro stated.

“Violence in Mindanao is driven largely by historical conflicts and local clan disputes rather than operation capacities of ISIS-affiliated organizations,” she continued.

Castro stated that the Anti-Terrorism Council and other organizations have been directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “to remain vigilant in preventing any terrorist activity within Philippine territory and to continuously enhance coordination with international partners to safeguard national security.”

At least 15 people were killed in the Bondi Beach shooting, which was characterized as a terrorist attack because it occurred on the first day of Hanukkah during a Jewish community gathering in Sydney’s popular seaside destination.