David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez: Shocking twist after Aussie couple are killed in Philippines

The hotel worker accused of killing an Aussie couple and their relative on holiday in the Philippines allegedly 'wanted to get back' at his employer after being fired from his job. 

David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippines-born Australian citizen, and their daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found dead at The Lake Hotel, at Tagaytay in Cavite province, southwest of Manila.  

Hotel staff made the discovery on July 10 when the trio failed to check out of their room. 

All three victims were reportedly found lying face-down with their hands and feet bound and tape over their mouths.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven M Capagcuan revealed the a man 'surrendered' to officers at 1.38am on Wednesday in relation to the murders.

The 33-year-old man, known under the alias 'Ronel', was a former employee at the hotel, according to the Cavite Police Provincial Office report.

'The course of the investigation revealed that the suspect took revenge against the hotel's management for his termination from employment, which led to the tragic killing of the victims,' the report said. 

Mr Capagcuan told reporters at the press conference that Ronel worked as the hotel's swimming pool cleaner and 'wanted to get back at the hotel management for his dismissal'.

Tagaytay city Mayor Abraham Tolentino and Capagcuan presented the suspect at news conference.

The man was ushered into the room in handcuffs and was wearing a hooded jacket, dark sunglasses and a black face mask.  

Mr Capagcuan explained the suspect 'surrendered' himself to authorities after police attended his home in the province of Batangas, near Tagaytay, on Tuesday evening. 

The development comes after police spent the last week searching for a man who was spotted on CCTV footage exiting the room on the day of the alleged murders. 

Hotel security camera vision showed the man leaving the room dressed in a black hood jumper, maroon shorts, sneakers and carrying a black backpack. 

Mr Capagcuan said the suspect was identified by at least three hotel employees based on the images captured by the security cameras.  

It is understood police are planning to charge the suspect with murder and robbery, after he allegedly admitted to taking Mr Fisk's watch and shoes following the attack.

According to local media reports, hotel security guard Rodney Parahinog passed the man at 6am on Wednesday at the resort's entrance gate and asked him where he was going.

Mr Parahinog said the man replied that he was a guest and was holding a key card for Mr Fisk's room. 

On Friday, Mr Fisk's family released a statement sharing their grief as they pleaded for answers about the horrific deaths.

'The love we have for our Father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare,' the statement read.

'We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific matter and just pray for their safe return to Australian shores.

'David's daughters, local known and loved residents in the Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of their family that the media respect our privacy in this incredibly difficult and tragic time and we will be making no further comment.'

The family have set up a GoFundMe to assist with 'support getting justice for all loved ones involved' and will be used to 'help ease the financial stress and burden that will arise from this incredibly difficult time'.

Mr Fisk's body will be repatriated to Sydney, while both women will be buried in the Philippines, with the government to pay for their funeral service and burial.