Student escapes kidnapping attempt in Isabela

Echague, Isabela— A female student  in Echague, Isabela almost fell victim to kidnapping in the evening of August 12, 2025. 

In a social media post, Regine Aquino said her sister Rowena was heading home from school at around 6:00 p.m that day when she encountered the traumatic event from the hands of a tricycle driver she did not recognize.

The post narrated that Rowena boarded a tricycle from Velsco Subdivision, Purok 3, Barangay San Fabian with another passenger. The other passenger was dropped off first by the driver on the far side of ‘Suyong.’ 

Afterward, the tricycle driver allegedly took Rowena to another route instead of takinig her to her destination. 

The driver suddenly stopped and got off from the tricycle, pretending that he was going to urinate. Moments later, he lifted Rowena by force and pointed a knife at her. 

Shortly after, the suspect took told her to stay put inside the tricycle as he drove to a grassy area. Fortunately, she was able to jump out of the vehicle and ran.

When she reached a corner of the road, another tricycle driver noticed her crying and helped her go home. 

“Pagkahatid sa kasama niya nilayo siya sa lugar tapos bumaba yung driver. Akala niya raw iihi, then bigla syang tinaas gamit yung kamay niya. Nauntog pa raw sya sa tricycle, tinutukan pa sya ng balisong. Then nilayo pa sya ng konti ng driver; dinala raw sa madamong lugar, hindi nya alam kung saan. ” Regine wrote.  

Rowena, according to Regine, is now dealing with trauma due to the incident.  

As for the tricycle driver who brought her sister home, Regine expressed gratitude to him, saying, “Kung sino pong tricycle na naguwi sa kapatid ko, thank you so much for bringing home my sister. Grabe yung trauma nya.” 

Meanwhile, Municipal Mayor Faustino “Inno” Dy V, in a Facebook comment, said he ordered the police to investigate the incident to ensure that what happened to Rowena will not be repeated. 

Dy V also appealed to the public to inform him if they have information about the incident for the identification of the accused driver. 

“Papaimbestigahan po natin nangyari sa ating mga pulis. Hindi dapat mangyari pa sa iba ang nangyari kay Rowena. Pwede niyo po akong tawagan sa 09778166542 kung meron pa kayong ibang impormasyon tungkol sa nangyaring insidente,” the mayor said.