Manila, Dec. 16 -- The Philippines is looking into reports that the father and son behind the recent deadly mass shooting in Australia had travelled to the country a month before the attack in which at least 16 people died, state media reported on Tuesday.

The National Security Council (NSC), which advises the president, is "aware of reports that the individuals involved in the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia had previously travelled to the Philippines, and these reports are currently being validated," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing, according to PNA news agency.

The statement comes in the wake of reports that father-son gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram underwent "military-style" training in the Philippines a...