A Maltese national shot his lover in a subdivision of Mandaue City in the Philippines last Saturday night and then killed himself, Philippines media are reporting.

Police said Joseph Cardona, who holds a Maltese passport, used a .22 revolver to shoot fashion designer Joy Bernaldez. He then shot himself himself in the head.

The Bureau of Immigration said it had not received any communication from anyone interested to claim Mr Cardona's remains.

Mr Cardona first arrived in the Philippines on July 5, 2007. He possessed a 59-day visa and left the country on August 11 that year.

He returned on December 1, 2009 and left last January 22.

On January 27, or five days later, Mr Cardona, 53, returned to the Philippines and stayed on.

He did not have a criminal record and there were no complaints against him.

However, Ms Bernaldez had reported a fight between her and Mr Cardona two weeks ago, during which she was physically hurt.

She had asked the hospital to issue a medical report should she decide to file a case against Mr Cardona.

About three months ago, she had also reported one of her helpers may have stolen something from her and alleged that she was being physically battered by Mr Cardona. She did not file a formal complaint.