Briefly:
The suspect in the killings of Australian couple David James Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez has turned himself in, officials say.
Police say the breakthrough came when the suspect, who worked as a pool cleaner at the hotel, was identified by at least three hotel employees.
What then?
Police allege the suspect “wanted revenge on the hotel management for firing him.”
The suspect in the murder of Australian couple David James Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez and their Filipina companion at a luxury resort in the Philippines has turned himself in.
The bodies of the couple, along with that of Lucita’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, were found. The bodies were found face down with their hands and feet bound at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay City, south of Manila, a week ago.
Tagaytay police chief Lt. Col. Charles Davin Cabajcuan said the suspect worked as a pool cleaner at the hotel.
“He wanted to take revenge on the hotel management for expelling him,” Lt. Col. Cabajquan added.
The breakthrough in the week-old case came when at least three hotel employees identified the suspect using a photo taken by security cameras showing part of his masked face, Lt. Col. Cabajquan said.
Lt. Col. Cabajcuan said the suspect’s identification eventually led to his hometown in Batangas province near Tagaytay, where he decided to surrender.
Mr. Cabajquan presented the handcuffed suspect — wearing a hooded sweatshirt, dark glasses and a mask — at a news conference.
Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino has renewed his apologies to the victims’ relatives and to Australia for the “brutal crimes” that took place in his city.
The suspect admitted stealing Mr Fisk’s watch and shoes after attacking him with a knife and strangling his partner and her Filipino daughter-in-law.
Lt. Col. Cabajquan said officials plan to file criminal complaints for theft in addition to those for the killings.
Tolentino said the bodies of the female victims would be buried in their families’ hometowns in the Philippines while Mr Fisk’s remains would be flown to Sydney on Tuesday local time.
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Mayor asks police to solve case or step down
The mayor of Tagaytay City was scrambling to get results, eager to reassure locals and tourists alike that their usually peaceful city remained safe.
On Saturday local time, Mr. Tolentino issued an ultimatum to the police chief: solve the case soon or step down.
“To our Australian friends, we are pleased to present to you the prime suspect in this brutal crime, and as we promised, within a week we will solve the matter and bring justice, especially to David’s family,” he said in the wake of the hack.
The couple were supposed to fly to Australia on the day they were killed.
Lucia Barquin Cortez’s Filipino son came forward, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was scared after what happened to his mother and because the suspect was still at large at the time.
He said the Australian couple were supposed to return to Australia on July 10, the day they were killed, but decided to take a short vacation in Tagaytay.
Police said at the time it was a rare and heinous crime in a tourist destination widely known for a picturesque volcano set in the middle of a lake, abundant tropical fruits and the hospitality of its locals.
ABC/AFP
It was published. , Updated
