DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The officer-in-charge of the provincial environment and natural resources office in Davao Oriental was gunned down by two ski mask-wearing attackers yesterday morning, police said.
Police said the victim, Eulogio Baltazar, 59, a retired member of the Philippine Constabulary and reportedly belonging to the Philippine Military Academy’s Class 1975, was taking his lunch at Honey’s Restaurant in Barangay Matiao, Mati City when he was shot in the head and body at around 11:35 a.m. yesterday.
Baltazar was rushed to the Davao Oriental Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
Baltazar’s assailants, one of them wearing a black shirt and shorts, reportedly casually walked away from the crime scene and fled on board a red Honda XR 200 motorcycle toward the adjoining town of Lupon.
Police investigators said Baltazar’s strict implementation of a logging and mining ban in the province could have something to do with his killing. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe
