Killing of Australian couple

The suspect in the killings of Australian couple David James Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez and their Filipina companion at a luxury resort in the Philippines has surrendered. 

The bodies of the couple, along with that of Lucita's daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, were found face down with their hands and feet tied at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay city, south of Manila, a week ago. 

Tagaytay police chief Lieutenant Colonel Charles Daven Capagcuan said the suspect used to work as a swimming pool cleaner at the hotel. 
"He wanted to get back at the hotel management for his dismissal," Lieutenant Colonel Capagcuan alleged. 

David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez were on holiday in the Philippines when they were murdered. Lieutenant Colonel Capagcuan said the breakthrough in the week-old case came when at least three hotel employees identified the suspect using an image captured by security cameras showing part of his masked face.The identification of the suspect eventually led to his home province of Batangas, near Tagaytay, where he decided to surrender, Lieutenant Colonel Capagcuan said.Mr Capagcuan presented the handcuffed suspect — wearing a hoodie, dark eyeglasses and a face mask — at a news conference.

The suspect, whose name was not revealed, was escorted by police following his surrender

The mayor of Tagaytay city Abraham Tolentino repeated his apology to the relatives of the victims and to Australia for the "brutal crimes" that took place in his city. The suspect allegedly acknowledged he took the watch and shoes of Mr Fisk after attacking him with a knife and suffocating his partner and her Filipina daughter-in-law. 

Lieutenant Colonel Capagcuan said officials planned to file criminal complaints of robbery in addition to those for the killings. Mr Tolentino said the bodies of the female victims would be buried in their family's home province in the Philippines while the remains of Mr Fisk were flown to Sydney, on Tuesday, local time.

Mayor told police to solve case or step down

The Tagaytay city mayor had been pushing for results, keen to reassure locals and tourists alike that their usually peaceful town was still safe.
On Saturday, local time, Mr Tolentino issued an ultimatum to the chief of police: Solve the case soon or step down.

"To our Australian friends, we are pleased to present to you the main suspect in this brutal crime and, as promised, within a week we will resolve and give justice, especially to the family of David," he said following the breakthrough. 

The luxury Lake Hotel where the trio's bodies were found.

Couple were supposed to fly to Australia the day they were killed

The Filipino son of Lucia Barquin Cortez has come forward, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was fearful after what happened to his mother and given the suspect remained at large at that time.

He said the Australian couple was supposed to fly back to Australia on July 10, the day they were killed, but decided to briefly take a vacation in Tagaytay.

Police at the time said it was a rare and heinous crime in a tourism destination that was largely known for a scenic volcano nestled amid a lake, abundant tropical fruits and the hospitality of its people.