A Canadian man allegedly stabbed his Filipino wife to death before killing himself 'over money problems' at their rented home in the Philippines.

Ronald St. Jean, 55, allegedly fought with his partner Liezel Demerin St. Jean, 49, after she came home from her call center job in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental province, early morning on May 12.

Liezel was hoping to have a small party for her birthday the next day but they began shouting at each other about the cost, which was reportedly witnessed by their children aged 7 and 11. They youngsters were then taken by a family friend to a relative's house in the village.

However, the fight escalated until a furious Ronald allegedly grabbed a knife and plunged it into his wife's chest - sparking a bloodbath at the family home.

Upon hearing the couple's enraged screams, concerned neighbours called police.

The cops converged on the house and urged the agitated Canadian national to surrender, but he refused and doused them with pepper spray before retreating into a bedroom.

He then reportedly turned the knife on himself while barricading the room. Officers stormed inside to find the floors covered in blood.

Police Captain Glenn Montano, chief of Bacolod Police Station 8, said: 'According to our initial investigation, there was a heated argument on both sides about their financial status, which the couple were always fighting about.

'The suspect was still holding the knife, so we had a difficult time negotiating with him. Eventually, when he stood up to get some water, he slipped on the floor, and we were able to neutralise him.'

Officers said Ronald had stabbed himself in the chest and also slashed his wrist during his rampage. He and Liezel were both rushed to the hospital.

Liezel was pronounced dead on arrival, while Ronald died a few hours later. The couple's sons are currently in their grandmother's custody.