The family of an Australian couple allegedly murdered while holidaying in the Philippines have been forced into negotiations with the man suspected of killing their loved ones.
David James Fisk, 57, his Australian-Filipina partner Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, and her Philippines-based daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found dead at The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, Cavite province, southwest of Manila, on July 10, 2024.
Days later, Ronel Estipona Perido, a former pool cleaner at the hotel, turned himself into police after being identified by three hotel staff members who recognised him on CCTV footage.
The victims did not know Perido personally, but he previously worked at the resort where they were staying before being fired for allegedly stealing.
In November, Perido faced a closed court after he pleaded not guilty to the triple murders.
Police are investigating whether Perido allegedly ordered the group to transfer money to fund his online gambling addiction account before allegedly killing them.
Prosecutors also allege he may have been motivated by revenge against the resort for firing him.
David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez (pictured together) and their daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found dead at The Lake Hotel at Tagaytay south-west of Manila
Lacinda Fisk and her sister Brittany (from left) pictured alongside their father David who was allegedly murdered have vowed won’t stop fighting until they have justice
Ronel Estipona Perido allegedly killed Australian couple and their relative while they were holidaying in the Philippines and surrendered himself to police (pictured)
Now David’s daughters, Lacinda and Brittany Fisk, who are still coming to terms with his harrowing death, have been thrown into the legal proceedings.
In the Philippines, plea bargaining is a key pre-trial process. The goal is to reduce the number of trials and save time and resources in the court system.
Trying to navigate the legal minefield from their homes in Australia, the Fisk sisters feel they have nowhere to turn and are worried a wrong move could be detrimental.
‘(Perido) is refusing to put anything in writing until he’s sure our family will accept the plea,’ Lacinda told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Right now, if we agree, a sentence could be just 12 years for all three alleged murders – an absolutely devastating possibility.’
In another cruel twist, Lacinda says they have been blocked from previous hearings due to the lack of communication with authorities, and have no family liaison apart from the lawyer they have had to hire themselves.
‘We were denied crucial access to a livestream of the court proceedings after a motion allowing us to view the hearing was approved in November yet we were never informed finding out the motion had been passed after our hearing.
‘Then, when we attempted to watch the livestream at the Philippine Embassy in Sydney on January 30, 2025, we were barred from viewing it for reasons that remain unclear.
The Fisk sisters Brittany and Lacinda are worried that they may make a mistake at the plea hearing due to lack of help from authorities
The couple were in their hotel room when they were violently attacked
‘Our lawyer has confirmed that the Public Prosecutor was in correspondence with the Australian Embassy but claimed they did not have our contact details as next-of-kin.
‘This is unacceptable. AFP and DFAT have a presence in the Philippines, and we believe between them they should have ensured that all essential updates reached us.
‘We feel like we are being shut out of the legal process simply because we are in Australia.’
David Fisk, Lucita Barquin Cortez and Mary Jane Cortez were nearing the end of a short holiday when their bodies were discovered after they failed to check out of their hotel room.
All three victims were allegedly found lying face-down with their hands and feet bound and tape over their mouths.
Mr Fisk’s throat was allegedly slit, and the two women died of suffocation.
After a week-long investigation, Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven M Capagcuan revealed a man had ‘surrendered’ to officers in connection with the crime.
During a press conference, he was identified as Perido and was ushered into the room in handcuffs.
Perido, 31, is a former employee of the hotel and was allegedly fired for stealing
The three murder victims are pictured, left and centre, with another family member (right) during Mr Fisk’s visit to the Philippines with partner Lucita Barquin Cortez
The sisters were barred from watching a court hearing at the Philippine Embassy in Sydney despite having permission
‘He wanted to get back at the hotel management for his dismissal,’ Mr Capagcuan said at the time.
Mr Capagcuan added Perido had previously worked as a swimming pool cleaner at the hotel.
The hotel security camera’s vision showed the man leaving the room dressed in a black hood jumper, maroon shorts, sneakers, and carrying a black backpack.
Mr Capagcuan said the alleged suspect was identified by at least three hotel employees based on the images captured by the security cameras.
The identification led authorities to the suspect’s home in the province of Batangas, near Tagaytay, where the man handed himself in.
According to local media reports, hotel security guard Rodney Parahinog passed the man at 6am on Wednesday at the resort’s entrance gate and asked him where he was going.
Mr Parahinog said the man replied that he was a guest and was holding a key card for Mr Fisk’s room.
The family have set up a GoFundMe which has raised just over $22,000 to assist with ‘support getting justice for all loved ones involved’ and will be used to ‘help ease the financial stress and burden that will arise from this incredibly difficult time’.
