A police manhunt over the murder of two Australians and their relative in a Philippines hotel room has taken a stunning turn after the suspect turned himself in.

Police had been searching for a man in a dark hoodie jumper who was seen leaving the dead trio’s room at The Lake Hotel in picturesque Tagaytay, south of Manila.

The bound and gagged bodies of Australian David Fisk, wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, a Philippine-born Australian citizen, and Cortez’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez, 30, were found by hotel staff last Wednesday.

The masked suspect was paraded to media on Wednesday after turning himself in to police.

Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven Capagcuan said the breakthrough in the week-old case came when the suspect was identified by at least three hotel employees based on an image captured by security cameras showing a part of his masked face.

That identification eventually led to his home province of Batangas, near Tagaytay, where he decided to surrender, Capagcuan said.

The suspect is presented following his surrender in Tagaytay city. Photo: AAP

Police at the time said the triple murder was a rare heinous crime in a tourism destination largely known for a scenic volcano nestled amid a lake, abundant tropical fruits and the hospitality of its people.

Hotel workers discovered the bodies last week when they went to the room about 12.30pm on Wednesday to remind the group to check out.

When the guests did not open the door, a male employee went in and found the victims face down and lifeless.

Police were investigating whether the suspect had been in the room for five hours, with CCTV capturing him leaving twice – at 1am and 6am.

It was believed he may have initially entered through a window.

The victims’ hands and shoeless feet were bound with electrical cord and their mouths were strapped with packing tape.

David Fisk’s throat was slit with a sharp object and the two women died from suffocation, police said.

The case has rocked the city of Tagayay, which the mayor said was a peaceful community on Taal Lake that had not experienced such a crime in 30 years.

He put the Tagaytay police chief on notice for his job if there was no progress in seven days.

CCTV footage shows the suspect leaving the room and walking down the hotel hallway. He was wearing a black jumper with the hood over his head, maroon shorts, sneakers and a backpack.

The suspect was captured on CCTV leaving the hotel room twice. Photo: Supplied

Fisk’s family released a statement on Friday as they struggled to come to terms with the horrific murders.

“The love we have for our father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare,” it said.

“We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific matter and just pray for their safe return to Australian shores.”

“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.”

David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez were staying at The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay. Photo: TND

The Australian woman’s son, and husband of the third victim, said the couple was from Sydney. They went to Bali before stopping in the Philippines.

The Lake Hotel in Tagaytay is a self-described luxury hotel that overlooks Taal Lake and its volcano.

The area is popular with tourists who can ride across the lake to climb the small volcano.

-with AAP