Suspect in killing of Aussie couple in Tagaytay surrenders

A SUSPECT in the recent killing of an Australian couple and their Filipina companion in Tagaytay City surrendered to police yesterday morning in Batangas.

The Calabarzon police regional office identified the suspect only by his alias as “Ronel,” 33, a former employee of Lake Hotel in Tagaytay City.

Ronel surrendered to Mayor Jey Cerrado of Tuy town in Batangas where he hid after committing the crime. Cerrado turned Ronel over to Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino.

Ronel is currently under the custody of the Tagaytay City police. Police investigators had established that Ronel was behind the killing “after days of backtracking” investigation.

“The course of the investigation revealed that the suspect took revenge against the hotel’s management for his termination from employment, which led to the tragic killing of the victims,” the Calabarzon police said in a statement.

The victims, Australians David James Fisk, 57; his wife Barquin Cortez, 55; and Cortez’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, were found dead in a room at Lake Hotel last July 10.

Their hands and feet were tied and their mouths covered by packaging tape.

Calabarzon police Director Brig. Gen. Kenneth Lucas commended the Special Investigation Task Group for its “hard work and dedication” for the early resolution of the case.

“Also, I would like to thank the local government officials of Tuy, Batangas and Tagaytay City for their cooperation in bringing the suspect behind bars and giving justice to the victims and their families,” said Lucas.

Charges of robbery with multiple homicides are being prepared against Ronel.