Asked in English if he had anything to say, Perido, who was handcuffed to another prisoner from an unrelated case, shook his head.

Father-of-four Rico Cortez was also waiting outside the courtroom, 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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