'Nightmare': Australian family's horror over murder at Phillippines hotel

The bodies of David James Fisk, 57, his wife Lucita Barquin Cortez, 55, and her daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez were discovered with their hands and feet bound in a room at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay on July 11.

"The love we have for our Father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living in a nightmare," Mr Fisk's daughter Lacinda Fisk said.

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

She has launched a fundraiser to "help ease the financial stress and burden that will arise from this incredibly difficult time".

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.

Mr 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.

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 before going to the Philippines on July 8.

A relative of Ms Cortez said the couple decided to take a short break in Tagaytay before returning to Australia.

The remains of Mr Fisk would be flown back to Sydney and the two women would be buried in the Philippines, Mr Tolentino said.

With Australian Associated Press.