Malacanang took exception to allegations describing Mindanao as a “terror hotspot” following reports that the shooters in Bondi Beach, Australia had traveled to the Philippines. Presidential Peace Adviser Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said the claims were unvalidated by intelligence and “deeply unjust to the peace-loving people of Mindanao.” He stated that such narratives ignore the progress made in transforming the region into a bastion of peace and development. Galvez extended sympathies to the victims’ families and called for global healing, while rejecting the misleading insinuations branding Mindanao as a “terror hotspot.” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. also rejected claims portraying the country as a training hotspot for terrorism, citing the government’s efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and secure communities. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año noted that a mere visit does not support allegations of terrorist training, and Galvez urged the international media to exercise discernment and responsibility to avoid stigmatizing the population. He emphasized the need to focus on healing and reconciliation, ensuring that the shared future is built on truth and the protection of common humanity.
