Love triangle eyed in killing of Bulacan beauty queen

Investigators are looking into love triangle as the motive behind the killing of Mary Christine Balagtas, a former beauty queen in Plaridel, Bulacan, who was shot dead by suspects who posed as flower delivery guys.

"Sabi nung ina, wala naman silang kaaway, maliban na lang doon sa boyfriend ng kanyang anak na may asawa," said Supt. Julio Lizardo in a report by GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez on 24 Oras on Friday.

"'Yung asawa ng lalaki na OFW [ay] panay ang tawag sa kanya, kung maari iwanan 'yung lalaki. Yung kwento ng nanay is 'yung lalaki gusto niyang hiwalayan 'yung babae, yung asawa niya abroad, kaya lang medyo din natatakot," he added.

Lizardo said the couple could be the mastermind behind the killing, which was carried out by suspected hired killers.

"Kasi parang nag-casing pa sila. Nag-casing pa [sa] bahay. So ibig sabihin taga-ibang bayan 'yung suspek," Lizardo said.

The report said an artist's sketch of one of the suspects will be out soon as the victim's mother was able to remember how he looked like.

"Kung sino man po 'yung walang pusong gumawa sa anak ko na 'to, sana maisip niya na hindi naman aso ang anak ko na patayin na lang na ganon-ganon na lang," the mother said.

The police also called on the suspects to surrender.

"Sumuko na lang. Maawa naman sila doon sa biktima na walang kaalam-alam... problemang mag-asawa," Lizardo said.

Balagtas was shot and killed after receiving a delivery of flowers from two men who were riding in tandem on Wednesday.

After receiving the delivery, one of the riders pulled out a gun and shot the victim on the left temple.

Police recovered an empty shell from a .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

Balagtas was brought to the Our Lady of Mercy Hospital but she was declared dead on arrival. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News