MANILA, Philippines--The police have released an artist's sketch of the taxi cab driver who robbed and then tried to kidnap an 18-year-old student of the University of Santo Tomas days ago.

The driver was described to be between 30 and 35 years old, around 5’5” to 5’7” in height, of medium build and with fair complexion.

The sketch was based on the information provided by the victim, Valerie (not her real name) and her mother who said she was able to get a good look at the driver.

A check with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board showed that the the driver’s KUL taxi cab (plate number TWC 897) was not registered with the agency.

“It’s illegal and classified as a colorum (without a franchise),” the victim’s father told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

When he asked why the taxi cab had a meter, an LTFRB employee told him that “these taxi meters can be easily bought behind the Land Transportation Office.”

Based on the documents obtained by Inquirer, the plate number used by the taxi cab was issued to a passenger jeepney owned by Nicolas and Wilma Perez of Pagasa, Quezon City.

In June 2007, the jeepney was involved in a traffic accident. Based on documents, its driver, who was identified as Regalado Baylon Aldea, 37, of Cattleya Street, Barangay (Village) Toro, Quezon City, was previously charged for his alleged involvement in a traffic accident in 1998.

Senior Supt. Magtanggol Gatdula, the Quezon City Police District chief, earlier said he ordered his men to flag down any vehicle sporting the plate number.

On Nov. 22, Valerie boarded a taxi cab and asked the driver to take her to Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. When they got there, the two argued because the driver insisted that Valerie gave him only P60 for her fare when she demanded change for the P1,000 bill she gave him.

The driver sped off with Valerie still inside the cab. She escaped by jumping off the moving vehicle.