MANILA, Philippines – A ranking official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Davao Oriental province was killed by unidentified men in broad daylight Thursday, police said on Friday.

The victim, identified as Eulogio Baltazar, was the officer in charge of the DENR in the province, a report from Davao Oriental police said.

Initial reports said that the victim was having lunch at the Honey’s Restaurant in Barangay Matiao, Mati town at around 11:35 a.m. when two armed men barged inside and shot him several times.

Immediately afterward, the suspects fled on board a red Honda motorcycle towards a still unknown direction.

Baltazar, who was said to be a former member of the now-defunct Philippine Constabulary, was declared dead on arrival at the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital, police said.