ESPERANZA, Sultan Kudarat — A local trader is now in stable condition after surviving a brazen shooting and robbery carried out by still unidentified suspects on Sunday morning, March 29, 2026, in a commercial area of Barangay Poblacion.
Initial reports from the Esperanza Municipal Police Station revealed that the victim, identified as Alexander D. Manganaan, also known by his alias “Lec Lec,” was inside his place of business in Purok Katipunan at around 7:30 a.m. when armed assailants opened fire on him.
Investigators said the suspects, whose identities and number have yet to be determined, forcibly entered the establishment and shot the victim multiple times before taking his sling bag, which reportedly contained an undisclosed amount of cash. Manganaan is known in the community as a trader engaged in buying agricultural products, making the attack particularly alarming for local business stakeholders.
Despite sustaining several gunshot wounds, Manganaan was immediately rushed to Our Lady of Hope Clinic and Hospital in Esperanza, where he is now reported to be in stable and safe condition.
Police officers who responded to the scene recovered at least five empty shell casings from an undetermined type of firearm, which are now being processed as part of the ongoing forensic investigation.
Authorities are currently pursuing multiple angles, including robbery as the primary motive, while not ruling out other possible factors behind the attack. A manhunt operation has been launched to identify and apprehend the perpetrators, who fled the scene immediately after the incident.
The Esperanza Municipal Police Station has called on the public to cooperate and provide any information that could help in the swift resolution of the case, as concerns grow over the safety of local предпринимateurs and traders operating in the area.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.