TAGAYTAY, Cavite – A suspect in the killing of two Australian nationals and one Filipino at a hotel in Tagaytay City, Cavite, has voluntarily surrendered to authorities, local police said on Wednesday.

The suspect, identified only as “Ronel”, a 33-year-old former hotel employee, turned himself in to the mayor of Tuy, Batangas, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. He was subsequently handed over to Tagaytay City officials.

According to Police Lieutenant Colonel Charles Daven Capagcuan, Chief of Tagaytay City Police, the suspect had been hiding in Tuy after committing the crimes. The motive appears to be revenge against the hotel management for his termination of employment, Capagcuan said.

The killings, which shocked the popular tourist destination about 60 km south of Manila, prompted a days-long manhunt. Police credited intelligence gathering and community cooperation for the breakthrough in the case.

“This operation is a testament to the effectiveness of our intelligence-driven and community-oriented approach to law enforcement,” said Police Colonel Eleuterio M. Ricardo Jr., Cavite Provincial Director.

The suspect is currently in custody at the Tagaytay City Police Station.