Suspect in custody over murder of Australian couple in the Phillippines

The Tagaytay police chief said the suspect was a former swimming pool cleaner at the hotel who committed the murders "to get back at the hotel management for his dismissal".

The bodies of David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, and her daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez were discovered with their hands and feet bound in a room at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay on July 11.

A masked, hooded man carrying a sling bag was seen on hotel security cameras walking out of the victims' room a few hours before their bodies were discovered, Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven Capagcuan told the Associated Press.

The man was identified by hotel staff, leading investigators to his home province of Batangas near Tagaytay where he surrendered to police, Mr Capagcuan said.

Mr Fisk's daughter Lacinda Fisk shared her horror over learning her family had been killed in the violent attack.

"The love we have for our Father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living in a nightmare," she said.

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

She has launched a fundraiser to "help ease the financial stress and burden that will arise from this incredibly difficult time".

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the families of two Australians who died.

"We send our condolences to the families at this difficult time," a spokesperson said in a statement.

Tagaytay mayor Abraham Tolentino said he was shocked by the incident and apologised to the families of the victims.

"We're very sorry to our Australian friends," he said.

"We will resolve this as soon as possible."

The couple had flown from Sydney to Bali for a holiday before going to the Philippines on July 8.

A relative of Ms Cortez said the couple decided to take a short break in Tagaytay before returning to Australia.

The remains of Mr Fisk would be flown back to Sydney and the two women would be buried in the Philippines, Mr Tolentino said.

With Australian Associated Press.