Police in the Philippines have launched a manhunt after two Australians were found dead at a luxury hotel alongside the body of a Filipina companion.
The bodies were discovered with their hands and feet tied in a room at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, a popular resort city south of the nation's capital on Thursday.
The victims have been named in media reports as David James Fisk, 57, and his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippine-born Australian citizen.
Daughter Lacinda Fisk issued a statement on behalf of the family.
"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", the statement read.
"David's daughters, local known and loved residents in the Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of their family that the media respect our privacy in this incredibly difficult and tragic time and we will be making no further comment".
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and examining security cameras at the hotel where the two Australian citizens were found dead. Source: AP / Aaron Favila
Authorities investigating the incident
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 (AP).
Capagcuan said a motive for the killings is unknown and some valuables, including the victims' phones, were not taken.
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and examining security cameras at the hotel.
Police regional director Paul Kenneth T Lucas said a task force had been established to investigate the murders.
"For now, we are conducting a thorough investigation based on the evidence that we have collected in our initial investigation," he said.
"Our task group conducted back-tracking of CCTV footage and follow-up investigation for the possible identification of the suspect. Rest assured that we will provide updates on any new information that comes to light on this case."
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 then went to the Philippines on Monday to visit the woman's two children, and decided to take a short break in Tagaytay before returning to Australia, a relative of the woman told the AP.
Fisk's body would be flown back to Sydney and the two women would be buried in the Philippines, Tolentino said.
