By Zach Hope and Aram Lascano
Tagaytay, Philippines: A former pool cleaner accused of breaking into a Philippines hotel room to murder two Australian holidaymakers and their relative may have been motivated by money to feed an online gambling addiction and also to take revenge on the resort that sacked him, prosecutors said.
Ronel Estipona Perido is alleged to have entered the room of Sydney man David Fisk at the popular Tagaytay Lake Hotel in July through the balcony window, possibly while the guests were asleep.
Australian couple David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez were found dead in a Philippine hotel room.
Investigators are looking into whether he killed Fisk first and then stayed in the room for hours demanding the two women – Fisk’s Philippine-Australian partner, Lucita Cortez, and her Filipina daughter-in-law, Mary Jane Cortez – send money to his online account. When there was no more to be gained from them, he allegedly killed them too.
Perido, whose is believed to be in his 20s, was allegedly fired from the hotel for stealing and may have been angry that he had not received his final pay cheque, this masthead has been told.
He was arrested days after the Tagaytay mayor issued a public ultimatum to the local police chief at the time to make progress on the case within a week or be sacked.
The Lake Hotel in Tagatay, where three people were found dead in their room, presumed murdered.Credit: Aram Lascano
The accused man briefly appeared in a closed court on Thursday. The default position in the Philippines is to shield courtroom events from public scrutiny and the media.
This masthead was able to approach Perido outside the courtroom where he was slouched on a wooden bench next to his aunt, who had come to support him. He was dressed in prison-issued brown trousers and a yellow T-shirt printed with the words “Person Deprived of Liberty”.
The suspect in the triple murder case being transferred to the Hall of Justice in Tagaytay City, Philippines, in July.Credit: Aram Lascano
Asked in English if he had anything to say, Perido, who was handcuffed to another prisoner from an unrelated case, shook his head indicating he did not.
Rico Cortez, whose mother Lucita Cortez, and wife Mary Jane Cortez, were found dead in their hotel room.Credit: Aram Lascano
Father-of-four Rico Cortez was also waiting outside the courtroom, only metres away from the man accused of murdering his wife Mary Jane and his mother Lucita.
“When I saw him, I was mad. I wanted to approach the guy …” Cortez said, stopping mid-sentence.
The delivery driver said he could no longer work because he had to take care of his children, the youngest of whom was aged four. But he said he was lucky that his eldest, a 12-year-old, could help with the cooking and cleaning because Mary Jane taught her children to be self-sufficient.
“She would always tell them, ‘What if I am not here any more’,” he said.
He said he was enraged on Thursday after noticing the accused man had developed a small pot-belly: “It makes me think that he is getting good food.”
Fisk’s family in Australia could not attend the court in Tagaytay but hired a private prosecutor, Friedrick Vincent C. Lu to press their criminal and civil claims, which included a lawsuit against the Lake Hotel for allowing an allegedly disgruntled employee to roam the premises and gain access to guests’ rooms.
“On July 10, 2024, David’s loved ones were blindsided with heartbreaking news, one that no one should ever bear the pain of hearing,” said Lu, reading a statement on the family’s behalf.
“David was someone’s father, brother and son whose life was senselessly taken in such a violent manner in a country far from their own. This has left them with so many questions unanswered and, more than anything else, they seek justice to its fullest extent.
“The swift action of the local government authorities of Tagaytay City has not gone unnoticed and the family wishes to extend their gratitude. Their prompt action provided a measure of solace to David’s family during this difficult time, and they remain hopeful that these efforts will lead to the prosecution of those responsible.”
Lu said Perido, who has pleaded not guilty, was attempting to get a plea deal.
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