Police in the Philippines have said they remain open to all possibilities as they investigate the deaths of an Australian couple who were found dead in a hotel room in a popular tourist town.
Sky News host Steve Price says the message Australian politicians should reap from Donald Trump’s conviction in the US is “we have to start thinking more independently” despite being the “major US ally in this region”.
“Surely we have to be putting in maximum effort with countries like Japan and India, Taiwan and even the Philippines,” Mr Price said.
“You can’t just rely on the US military force – our help from a country that is going to be so distracted for certainly the rest of this year.”
The bodies of Australian David James Fisk, 57, and his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, were discovered by a staff member inside their Lake Hotel room located in Tagaytay, south of Manila, on Wednesday, according to local media reports.
Ms Cortez’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, was also found dead at the scene.
All three victims had their hands and feet bound with electrical cords and shoe laces, with “packaging tape” over their mouths, a police statement said.
Australian David James Fisk, 57, and his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, were found dead inside their hotel room with their arms and legs bound on Thursday. Picture: Facebook
Police are treating their deaths as murder, but are still working on a motive.
Investigators have said they remain open to all theories in the early stages of the probe, including that the suspect had known the daughter-in-law.
“We are still in the process of our investigation and gathering all the necessary information to establish the real motive for this case,” Philippines Police Lieutenant Colonel Charles Daven Capagcuan said, News Corp reported.
“We have followed him (the suspected killer) after he exited from the hotel and more than that, we are still in the process of investigating.”
The suspected killer who was spotted leaving the room. Picture: Supplied
One of the reasons behind the latest theory is that police say no valuables in the couple’s hotel room, such as mobile phones, were taken.
Security camera vision showed the suspect leaving the room dressed in a black hood jumper, maroon shorts, sneakers and carrying a black backpack.
Detectives continue to review other CCTV footage nearby the hotel.
Mr Fisk’s family confirmed his death in a statement on Friday.
“The love we have for our Father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare. We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific matter and just pray for their safe return to Australian shores,” it said.
His daughters – based in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire – have requested for privacy.
Mr Fisk’s family released a statement confirming his death, saying they “pray for answers”.
His wife’s (pictured) daughter-in-law was also found dead. Picture: Facebook
Tributes have started to pour in as loved ones found out about the couple’s deaths.
“My condolences to my cousin who died in the Philippines & hubby David Fisk and daughter in law Maryjane Cortez. May they rest in peace,” one wrote to Facebook.
“I grieve this loss. (David was) Gentle, generous, hard working, persistent, urbane, thoughtful and a decent human being. Rest well my friend. I will miss our conversations deeply,” a close friend added, sharing a news article about their suspected murders.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Capaguan Australian authorities are assisting, with a special investigation taskforce formed to look into the deaths.
Police have also urged any witnesses who saw the man to come forward.
The couple were staying at the picturesque Lake Hotel room in Tagaytay, south of Philippines’ capital Manila. Their bodies were reportedly found by a staff member.
One security guard at the entrance of the hotel said he saw the suspect who claimed to have been checked in and had a key card to the room.
It is understood the couple were about halfway through their holiday.
A GoFundMe has been set up to support the Mr Fisk and Ms Cortez’s family.
More than $7,500 has been raised so far.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) said in a statement consular assistance was being provided to the families of the Australians found dead.
“We send our condolences to the families at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.