2 die, 1 hurt in Quezon shooting incident triggered by ‘love triangle’

LUCENA CITY – Two men died and a woman was injured in a shooting incident that was described by police as a “crime of passion,” on Friday night, June 17, in Candelaria town in Quezon province.

Quezon police said Saturday that Dennis Patulot, 36, and his companion, whose name was not stated in the report, arrived at the house of Roel Macasaet, 52, in Barangay (village) Masin Norte at around 10:30 p.m.

A heated argument ensued between Macasaet and his visitors, which prompted the guests to draw their firearms and shoot the homeowner.

But Macasaet also managed to draw his own gun and fire at his attackers. Macasaet and Patulot died on the spot.

Macasaet’s wife, Luisa, 52, was hit by a stray bullet and was taken to Peter Paul Medical Center for treatment.

Patulot’s companion escaped after the shooting.

Investigators recovered several empty shells from caliber .38 gun at the crime scene.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Arnulfo Selencio, Candelaria police chief, said the shooting was motivated by a “love triangle.”

“Initial investigation showed that Macasaet had a love affair with the wife of the shooter that had escaped,” Selencio said in a phone interview Saturday.

He said they have already identified the suspect, who is now the subject of police manhunt.

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