A suspect in the killing of two Australian nationals and a Filipino is escorted under tight security following his surrender in Tagaytay city, Cavite province Philippines on Wednesday, July 17, 2024. A hotel worker found the bodies of three victims, whose hands and feet were tied, on July 10 in a room at a hotel in the popular resort of Tagaytay city, south of Manila. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The suspect in the murder of two Australians and one Filipina in a hotel in Tagaytay City, Cavite, surrendered to the authorities early Wednesday morning, July 17.

An investigation by the Tagaytay Component City Police Station (CCPS) revealed that the suspect is a former hotel employee who allegedly committed the crime in an attempt to take revenge against the hotel’s management following his termination.

Tagaytay CCPS Chief Lt. Col. Charles Daven Capagcuan identified the suspect as alias Ronel, a 33-year-old resident of Amadeo, Cavite.

The suspect hid in Tuy, Batangas, as authorities launched a follow-up operation against him. Later, he voluntarily surrendered to Tuy Mayor Jey Cerrado, who then turned him over to Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino.

Alias Ronel is now under the custody of Tagaytay CCPS.

In a statement, Police Regional Office 4A Director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas commended the hard work of the special investigation task group assigned to the case under the leadership of Cavite Provincial Police Office Director Col. Eleuterio Ricardo Jr.

On July 10, hotel staff discovered the lifeless bodies of Australian couple David James Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez, and Filipina Mary Jane Cortez, Lucita’s daughter-in-law, with their hands and feet bound and their mouths covered with packaging tape.

On July 13, the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra released a statement on the demise of the Australian couple and the Filipina.

Statement of the Embassy of the Philippines in Canberra on July 13 (Image from the Philippine Embassy in Australia Facebook Page/MANILA BULLETIN)

“We wish to extend our deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to the family and loved ones of David and Lucita on their loss. We offer our thoughts and prayers for solace and comfort during this difficult time,” the statement said.

“The Philippine government condemns in the strongest terms the cowardly and senseless act that took the couple from their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the Australian government in our joint efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice.”