Retired Tasmanian abalone diver Anthony George Wilson killed in car shooting in the Philippines

The heartbroken children of a Tasmanian man murdered in the Philippines say it appeared their father had simply been “in the wrong place at the wrong time”. 

Retired Tasmanian abalone diver Anthony George Wilson, 61, of Margate, right, who was killed in a daylight shooting in Olongapo, in the Philippines. He is pictured here with his brother Greg. Picture: SUPPLIED

THE son and daughter of a Tasmanian man murdered while on holiday in the Philippines have remembered their father as an “extremely well-liked and generous” man.

Retired abalone diver Anthony George Wilson, 61, of Margate, was shot and killed on Friday in Olongapo City.

Police in the Philippines have arrested Australian Michael Justin McLaren, 52, for the killings of Mr Wilson and Filipina woman Mila Bailey, 41.

The incident occurred in a car that was parked outside a hardware store.

Ms Bailey’s husband, Wayne Bailey, 71, who was also in the car, managed to escape and was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was shot in the chest during the attack.

Their young daughter who was inside the vehicle — a red Mitsubishi Mirage — was uninjured.

Police arrested Michael McClaren at a hotel three hours after the shooting. Picture: GMA Network

Local media has reported that authorities are investigating if a business deal involving Mr and Mrs Bailey was among the possible motives for the attack.

Mr Wilson was the owner of the Crazy Horse Bar Subic, while Ms Bailey owned the Gum Leaves Beach Resort.

The car after the fatal shootings. Picture: Olongapo City Police

Two of Mr Wilson’s children Shane Wilson, 32, and Amy Wilson, 40, both of Hobart, told the Mercury it appeared their father had simply been “in the wrong place at the wrong time”.

He had been in the country for less than a week.

Amy said her father had befriended Mr Bailey on a previous trip to the Philippines.

“Dad met Wayne on holiday over there and they used to go and have meals together,” she said.

“As far as we know they were heading to do their normal thing of going to have something to eat and do some shopping.

“From what we’ve been told, Dad didn’t know who [the shooter] was.”

Mr Wilson was a father of five and adored grandfather of seven.

He was known to many as Tony, or “Corky” within the fishing industry.

He was well-known in sporting circles for his involvement in motorcycle racing and his generous sponsorship of young sportspeople.

He was also a former publican, having owned the Victoria Tavern in the Hobart CBD.

“He was extremely well-liked and generous, and was an active and well-loved member of the Tasmanian fishing community for over 40 years,” Shane said.

Mr Wilson was a seasoned international traveller to destinations across Europe and Asia.

The shooting occurred outside a hardware shop. Picture: GMA Network

Amy and Shane saw their father last week before he left for the Philippines, and said he had been planning to stay in the country for a few months.

“He has been spending a lot of time there recently, because he doesn’t like the cold weather here,” Shane said.

“He’s an extremely smart and well-travelled person.”

Amy and Shane said while they hoped for answers over their father’s death, their focus was bringing his body home so he could be properly farewelled by friends and family.

They said the process was proving “extremely difficult”, but they were being helped by a close family friend who was in the Philippines.

They don’t know when they will be able to bring his body home.

“It’s been a nightmare,” Amy said.

“We’ve all been heartbroken but we’ve just tried to keep busy because that’s what he would want.”

The scene of the fatal attack in Olongapo City. Picture: Olongapo City Police

Olongapo police chief Colonel Benjamin Sembrano said Mr McLaren allegedly paid cash for a hotel and restaurant from the Baileys, GMA Network reports.

Mr McLaren reportedly said he did not have any proof of purchase when questioned by police.

Local authorities said Mr McLaren was arrested in his hotel room about three hours after the shooting. He was found with a gun and live ammunition.

“Appropriate criminal complaints against the arrested suspect are now being prepared for filing in court,” Filipino police said in a statement on social media.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman told News Corp: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the two Australians and their families who were the victims of a serious incident in the Philippines.

“The Department stands ready to provide consular assistance, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter to the other Australian who was involved in the incident. Due to our privacy obligations we will not provide further details.”