COLUMBIO, Sultan Kudarat — A 28-year-old lending collector was shot dead in a brazen midday ambush in Sitio Dike, Barangay Mayo, on March 24, 2026, highlighting persistent security concerns in remote areas of the province.
The victim, identified as Froilan Combate, an employee of Star 8 Lending Company and a resident of Purok Everlasting, Barangay Avanceña in Koronadal City, was declared dead on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the initial investigation by the Columbio Municipal Police Station, Combate had just come from collecting payments and was reportedly riding his motorcycle when he was suddenly waylaid by still unidentified assailants at around 12:30 p.m.
Authorities said the suspects opened fire at close range, repeatedly hitting the victim in various parts of his body. The attack was swift and deliberate, giving Combate no chance to escape.
Police believe the assailants may have been monitoring the victim’s movements prior to the attack, though investigators have yet to establish whether the motive was robbery, personal grudge, or work-related.
No suspects have been identified as of this writing, and it remains unclear how many individuals were involved in the ambush. Witnesses in the area have yet to come forward with detailed accounts that could aid investigators.
The Columbio police have launched follow-up operations and intensified intelligence gathering to track down those responsible. Authorities are also appealing to the public for any information that could shed light on the identities of the perpetrators and the motive behind the killing.
The fatal shooting adds to a growing number of violent incidents targeting civilians in parts of Mindanao, raising renewed calls for stricter security measures, especially for individuals whose work requires them to travel to isolated communities.
Investigations are ongoing.