A POLICE officer assigned in the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group was gunned down in front of his house in Barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City on Friday evening, May 3.

Investigators from the Hoopsdome Police Station identified the victim as Police Master Sergeant Joseph Villamor.

Police Master Sergeant Rudy Janagap of the Hoopsdome Police Station told Sunstar Cebu and Superbalita Cebu that Villamor was standing outside his house and talking to someone when two unidentified men onboard a black and yellow scooter suddenly approached him at around 7:57 p.m.

One of the two men, identified as the backrider, suddenly pulled out his pistol and shot Villamor in the head once.

After Villamor fell on the ground, the backrider again fired several shots at the police officer before returning to his companion.

Police found eight empty shells of .45 caliber pistol at the crime scene.

The assailants then sped away towards an unknown direction.

Villamor died instantly.

Jaganap said Villamor is currently working as an intelligence officer assigned in various PNP Maritime Units in the Visayas.

Before his assignment at the PNP Maritime Group, Villamor previously worked under the Lapu-Lapu City Intelligence Branch from 2014 to 2015.

Jaganap said Villamor recently returned home as he was scheduled to attend a hearing at the Lapu-Lapu City Palace of Justice next week.

Villamor is survived by his wife, Police Master Sergeant Laila Samson Villamor, who is assigned at the Police Regional Office (PRO) Central Visayas.

Jaganap said they still have no idea who is behind Villamor's murder or who are the suspects who killed him.