On X (formerly Twitter), the hashtag #ProtectSunshineCruz began trending among local supporters.

“Leave Sunshine alone. She has been through enough,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Ekis sa mga manggugulo. We stand with Sunshine.”

As of press time, Sunshine Cruz has not directly addressed the “target” rumors on her official Instagram or Facebook pages. However, earlier this week, she posted a cryptic message on her stories: “Focus on your peace. Not everyone deserves a reaction.”

Her manager declined to comment on the specifics of the security threat but assured fans that, “All necessary precautions are being taken. Sunshine is a mother first, and her safety and the safety of her children are the top priority.”

Unlike younger celebrities who engage in clap-backs or breakdowns, Sunshine Cruz took a different route. In a series of Instagram stories and a short press interview, she addressed the "Ekis - Sunshine Cruz target" phenomenon directly.

“I don’t even know why I am an ‘Ekis.’ What did I do? Fall in love? Work hard? I am a single mother working to feed my children. If that is ‘Ekis,’ then so be it.”

Her legal team sent cease-and-desist letters to three anonymous troll accounts. Crucially, she refused to name her ex-partners or Atong Ang as culprits, choosing to absorb the hate without retaliation. This stoicism, however, only made the trolls angrier, as they accused her of "playing the victim."

While official statements from the Cruz camp remain pending, sources close to the actress revealed that the potential threat was flagged through a combination of social media monitoring and tips from concerned citizens. The word “target” suggests that Sunshine Cruz was specifically singled out, though the motive remains unclear.

Speculation is rife among netizens, with some theorizing that the issue may stem from: