Tragedy on the Seas: Former Beauty Queen Found Hogtied, Weighed Down with Rocks After Abduction

Introduction

A horrifying case of abduction turned fatal has shocked the Philippines. Acquene Arradaza, a 35‑year‑old former beauty queen, was discovered dead in the sea days after being abducted at gunpoint. The brutal manner in which she was found—hogtied and weighed down with rocks—has stirred widespread grief and demand for justice.

The Abduction

On July 31, Acquene was caught on CCTV footage being taken by force from a grocery store in Ormoc City. Three armed individuals approached her and forced her into a black Toyota Wigo. The vehicle sped off toward Kananga, Leyte, setting off alarms among her family and local authorities.

The Discovery

On August 4, local fishermen found a decomposing, unclothed body drifting near Barangay 99‑Diit, Tacloban City. When retrieved, investigators observed that the victim was hogtied, had a bicycle lock around her neck, and her face was blindfolded and wrapped in duct tape. Additionally, her body was attached to two sacks of rocks—presumably intended to ensure it sank.

Law enforcement confirmed the identity of the victim as Acquene Arradaza through her distinctive tattoos and physical features. Miss Matag‑ob in 2012, she was also a single mother and caregiver—a role that made her abduction even more heartbreaking.

Investigation and Reaction

Authorities have described the case as a well-planned and targeted attack. The delay in filing a missing person’s report—only filed by her family on the day her body was discovered—may have hindered rescue efforts.

At this time, law enforcement agencies are piecing together leads and conducting investigations to identify the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The public, including her mourning family, continue to plead for justice and swift action.

Summary Table

Detail
Description

Victim
Acquene Arradaza, 35, former Miss Matag‑ob, single mother and caregiver.

Abduction
July 31 in Ormoc City; taken by three armed men into a black Toyota Wigo.

Body Found
August 4 in Tacloban City; hogtied, blindfolded, gagged, and weighed down by rocks.

Identification
Confirmed via tattoos and physical features.

Investigation
Treated as premeditated crime; authorities pursuing suspects.

Conclusion

The devastating death of Acquene Arradaza tragically illuminates the dangers faced by ordinary citizens—and public figures—at the hands of violent crime. Her discovery, bound and weighed down in the sea, serves as a sobering call for stronger public safety measures and more efficient missing-person protocols. As investigations continue, her family and community await justice for a life stolen in such cruel circumstances.

nationalworld.com