Manila - An Australian family in the Philippines sought the help of police and the Australian embassy on Thursday after armed men allegedly surrounded a resort they owned on a central island.

Greg Hutchinson told police and the Australian embassy that he and his family were holed up in their apartment next to the resort on Boracay Island, 330 kilometres south of Manila.

"The embassy is in communication with the family and local police who advised the embassy that police officers were on the scene to resolve the matter," Kiel Enrique, the embassy's press officer, said.

"We will maintain communication with the police and continue to provide assistance to the family and ensure its welfare and safety," Enrique added.

Hutchinson said the gunmen, armed with automatic weapons, barged into the family-owned SandCastles resort late Wednesday, forcing staff and guests to flee.

Hutchinson said he, his wife and two children were forced to seek refuge on the third floor of their apartment next to the resort.

He said the attack could be related to a land dispute.

Police officers have been dispatched to the resort to resolve the matter. (dpa)