MANILA, Philippines — A policeman shot dead his colleague, allegedly over a “love triangle,” at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City yesterday morning.

Police Officer 1 Mark Carlo Pasamba, 29, of the 4th Mobile Force Company was declared dead on arrival at a hospital after sustaining three gunshot wounds.

His attacker, Police Officer 1 Carlos Alberto Aljama, 31, was detained at the Taguig City police station on charges of murder and grave misconduct, the Southern Police District (SPD) said.

Police Officer 1 Louie Collisao, who witnessed the incident, told National Capital Region Police Office (NRCPO) director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar that Aljama “approached the victim, cursed at him then shot him.”

According to Eleazar, both Aljama and Pasamba attended the Police Information and Continuing Education conducted by the Regional Mobile Force Battalion just before the incident.

Eleazar, who confronted Aljama, said they are considering the incident a “crime of passion” after they learned that Aljama’s motive was an alleged affair between Pasamba and his wife, who also holds the rank of Police Officer 1.

“Mayroong alitan na ang dalawa since na mayroon nga (There has been conflict between the two due to a) love triangle,” Eleazar told reporters.

Pasamba was with the Philippine National Police for nearly six years. Aljama, who has been with the PNP for more than three years, is assigned to the NCRPO’s holding and accounting unit.

Eleazar said Aljama went AWOL or absent without official leave for two days in August, allegedly because he was heartsick over the reported affair between his wife and Pasamba.

“It is important for police officers to remember the sanctity of marriage and our ethical standards,” he said.

Aljama refused to comment on the incident.

Eleazar said the incident could have been avoided if the two men settled the problem in a professional manner.