An Australian man who has been charged with selling 'cookie monster ecstasy' in the Philippines had been living there with his pregnant girlfriend before being arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

Damian Berg was arrested in Manila on Tuesday on suspicion of selling the small blue pills to an undercover police officer at a city centre hotel.

The man, who is originally from Adelaide, is awaiting trial and could face the death penalty if convicted.

On Thursday, as his parents issued an emotional statement of support for him, Mr Berg's life in the Philippines could be laid bare.

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Damian Berg (above with his Philippine girlfriend Marvie Zanelucas) was arrested in Manila on Tuesday on suspicion of selling 'cookie monster' ecstasy pills

Posing by the pool with his pregnant girlfriend Marvie Zanelucas, he appeared in a string of social media photographs taken before the arrest.

Among them are many with Miss Zanelucas and a host of selfies that showed off his weight loss.

On Thursday, as her partner remained in custody at a Manila police station, Miss Zanelucas told Daily Mail Australia she was 'preparing food' for him.

His parents meanwhile issued an emotional statement through the Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs to insist he had their full support.

'What we do know is that Damian is in custody in Manila and is being treated OK.

'It will take time before his case is heard, and until then we can’t comment any more. As a family, we dearly love him and will be supporting him as much as we can,' they said.

The man from Adelaide (left) denies the charges but has remanded in custody in the Philippines while he awaits trial. He was arrested alongside Canadian Jeremy Eaton (right)

The pair are understood to be excited about the arrival of the baby. On Thursday Mr Berg's parents told him to 'hang in there' as he awaited legal help

Mr Berg had been living in Manila with his pregnant girlfriend Marvie Zanelucas (above) until his arrest on Tuesday

Mr Berg was arrested alongside a Canadian national after allegedly selling 170 of the pills to an undercover police officer (above) in a Manila hotel

Mr Berg has been living in Manila for more than a year but regularly travelled back to Australia to visit family.

He denied having any involvement with the drugs after being arrested with Canadian native Jeremy Eaton on Wednesday and was seen with his head in his hands outside the Makati City police station which police took them to.

Prosecutors allege that an undercover police over bought 170 of the pills from the men, with the drugs carrying a street value of around 255,000 pesos (about AU$7,350).

Mr Berg denies the allegation, telling the ABC he has no need to sell drugs because he has a 'good paying job'.

Geoff Berg spoke outside his family's home in South Australia on Thursday to encourage him to stay positive while awaiting further help

Mr Berg has been living in Manila for more than a year

Police have accused Mr Berg and Jeremy Eaton, a Canadian national, of selling them the blue tablets (above)

It is not clear what work the man was doing prior to his arrest.

If found guilty of drug dealing, Mr Berg could face the death penalty under a new, harsher crime crackdown introduced by the country's new leader, Rodrigo Duerte.

Duerte has a notoriously tough stance against drugs, once claiming he would kill his own son if he ever caught him taking them.

The Department of Trade and Foreign Affairs is providing consular assistance to the Berg family, a spokesman said.

'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian man arrested in the Philippines, in accordance with the Consular Services Charter.