Footage from today shows a new home under construction at the registered address of Dennis Yu Villaluz, 44, who was found dead alongside Australian partner Maria Cecilia Jellicode, 44, in Boracay, the Philippines, on Monday March 21, 2022.

A female Australian tourist and her lover have been found dead lying next to either and with wounds on their bodies in a hotel room in the Philippines.

Maria Cecilia Jellicode, 44, and her Filipino boyfriend Dennis Yu Villaluz, 44, were on holiday together on the popular island of Boracay last week before the suspected double tragedy.

They were due to check out on Monday March 21 but when staff knocked on the door at noon they found the couple on floor. They were 'lying close to each other' and there was blood from wounds on their bodies, police said.

Police officers and paramedics arrived but the pair were both unresponsive and later pronounced dead.

Officers believe the cause of death ‘was not natural causes’ and have launched an investigation into how they died.

While shocked friends of the pair, who lived in the capital Manila where Dennis worked, have expressed their sadness.

Marichris Tamayo said: ‘I cannot believe what has happened. We are still confused at how he could leave us so soon.’

Speaking today by phone, Erick Jao added: ‘I worked with Dennis in Manila. He was my officemate before at Mitsubishi. He was very friendly the whole time. There was nothing unusual about him. He was likeable and spoke with everyone.’

Police said that Maria had been living in the centre of Manila while Dennis had a home in the nearby town of San Mateo in Rizal province. Dennis had previously worked in the Philippines office of Japanese motor car giant Mitsubishi.

They arrived on the island, known for its golden sandy beaches, at the start of the month.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie De Dios, Malay police chief, said the couple were scheduled to leave on March 13, but had extended their stay until March 21. He added that security footage from the unidentified hotel did not indicate foul play from a third party.

However, he said that initial reports from the scene were that ‘wounds on their bodies’ indicated that they did not die of natural causes.

He said: ‘Their belongings, including cash, jewellery, laptop computers, and cellphones are intact.’

Asked today by telephone how he believed the pair died, the policeman said that ‘an investigation is ongoing’.

However, he added that the couple were seen eating breakfast normally on Sunday. Their bodies will now undergo post mortem examinations to determine the specific causes of their deaths.

Officers said they are now coordinating with the couple’s families while investigations are ongoing.

The Australian Embassy has also been informed.