Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat — A 40-year-old farmer was shot dead during a robbery in Barangay Guiamalia on Wednesday afternoon, June 4, 2025, authorities reported.
The victim, identified as Agapeto Almeria Tempo, was resting on a motorcycle along with his employer, the farm owner, when two unidentified men on a black Bajaj motorcycle approached them around 3:30 p.m., according to the Esperanza Municipal Police Station.
Major Jeffrey Lazaro, chief of the local police, said the suspects declared a holdup. The back rider disembarked, pointed a gun, and reportedly shouted, “Hold-up ni!” before seizing the sling bag of the farm owner.
Tempo resisted the robbery attempt, prompting both suspects to shoot him multiple times using still-unidentified short firearms. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds to various parts of his body.
After the shooting, the suspects fled toward Barangay Maranding in Datu Abdulla Sangki, Maguindanao del Sur.
Tempo was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead a few hours later. His employer was left unharmed.
Investigators recovered several empty shells from a caliber .45 pistol at the scene.
Major Lazaro stated that they are pursuing several persons of interest and urged residents to come forward with any information that may lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.