'Lascivious' driver faces raps

CEBU, Philippines -  A habal-habal driver was arrested during a hot pursuit operation after his passenger alleged she was molested by him while riding his vehicle Monday dawn in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

The victim, Nina Harlyn Judilla, 20, of Barangay Mantuyong alleged that at around 1:45 a.m. on Monday, she rode the motorcycle for hire driven by the suspect Restituto Limpag, 35, and a resident of Barangay Canduman. The victim asked the driver to take her to North Road in Barangay Basak.

But while travelling, she noticed that instead of passing through H. Abellana Street in Barangay Canduman, the suspect instead took her to another route. This prompted her to insist that they pass H. Abellana since the place was well-lighted. However, the suspect just ignored him, she said.

As they passed a dimly-lit area, the suspect then started to court her and made some sexual advances by touching her thighs and groins several times, over which she protested.

And when the vehicle stopped, the victim became more afraid of what the suspect might do to her, so she started begging to bring her home but was told by the suspect not to worry as he would do so.

After so much pleading, the driver then ordered her to ride his motorcycle again and brought her to North Road.

But since the incident brought her fear and anxiety, the victim went to the nearby Basak Police Station and reported the incident, instead of going straight home.

A hot pursuit operation then led to the arrest of the suspect who was later identified as Limpag based from the information gathered from his fellow habal-habal drivers.

He was then brought to the police station where he was positively identified by the victim.

Police were also able to confiscate from his possession the Black Honda motorcycle which the victim had earlier ridden with him.

The suspect is now detained pending the filing of an act of lasciviousness case against him.  (FREEMAN)