Manila  - A 54-year-old Frenchwoman was shot dead in the Philippines and three suspects, including a Frenchman, were arrested for alleged involvement in the murder, police said Thursday.

Genevieve Sonia Mas, who arrived in the country last December, was killed while riding a tricycle in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental province, 540 kilometers south of Manila, on Tuesday.

Chief Inspector Victorino Romanillos said the suspected gunman, Melchorito Alcala, 31, was arrested shortly after the shooting when a traffic enforcer alerted police about the incident.

Police later arrested Abdullah Benamirouch, a French national, and his Filipino wife Rose, who allegedly hired Alcala to kill Mas.

Murder charges were filed against the three suspects on Wednesday, Romanillos said.

He said initial police investigation showed the killing may have been related to a property dispute in France. He added that Mas was the girlfriend of Abdullah Benamirouch's brother. (dpa)