On 4/8, local fishermen discovered a woman's body floating offshore near the coastal village of Barangay 99 Diit, Tacloban City. The naked body was blindfolded and gagged, with her hands and feet bound and her face wrapped in tape.
According to police, the victim also had a bicycle lock around her neck and two sacks of rocks tied to her body to weigh it down.
After receiving the report, on 6/8, police identified the victim as 35-year-old Acquene Arradaza, a single mother of three who had won the Miss Matag-ob beauty pageant. Her family confirmed her identity through a tattoo on her back.
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Acquene Arradaza (center) was crowned Miss Matag-ob in 2012. Photo: Asia Pacific News |
Acquene Arradaza (center) was crowned Miss Matag-ob in 2012. Photo: Asia Pacific News
Acquene was last seen on surveillance footage buying groceries in Valencia, Ormoc City, on 31/7. A black Toyota Wigo with the license plate 1799 stopped nearby, and three armed men jumped out and forced her into the car.
"The suspects, wearing black pants, hoodies, and head coverings, quickly fled the scene, heading towards Kananga, Leyte," the police report stated. Later surveillance video data confirmed a similar car was seen traveling towards Tacloban City shortly after the incident.
The roadside abduction (in the right corner of the screen) was captured on surveillance camera. Video: Asia Pacific News/Sun
Lieutenant Nova Tan of the Ormoc City Police Department said the kidnapping was only reported by the family on 4/8 – the same day the body was discovered. The officer explained that they "could have intercepted the suspects' car at the city gates" if the family had reported it sooner.
Relatives said that on the morning of the kidnapping, Acquene had spoken to a man named Pay-ap Drilon, who lived in the same area.
Authorities are working to track down the suspects and investigate the motive for what is believed to be a "targeted and pre-planned attack."
Acquene's mother is campaigning for justice and appealing to Filipino politicians for help with her daughter's case. Last year, Acquene's brother, 30-year-old Eros Arradaza, was killed in a shootout with police during a drug raid.
Tue Anh (according to The Sun, Manila Times)
