BUTUAN CITY – A tricycle driver in Barangay Washington, Surigao City was apprehended by authorities after allegedly exposing himself and committing a lewd act in front of a female passenger early morning on August 24.
The arrest was made following an investigation conducted by the Surigao City Traffic Management Office (SCTMO), based on a complaint they received identifying the suspect as the driver of a tricycle with plate number SC No. 2173.
Upon his arrest, the driver was immediately turned over to the Surigao City Police Station (SCPS) and is now facing criminal charges under Republic Act 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act (Anti-Bastos Law). He was also issued multiple traffic citation tickets for violations including driving without a license, being discourteous, and driving while wearing only slippers and shorts.
Further investigation revealed that the driver had a previous criminal case in 2023 involving similar misconduct toward a minor passenger. At that time, he was also fined ₱10,000 for multiple traffic violations.
Due to the seriousness of the offenses, the SCTMO has recommended the cancellation of his driver’s license to the Regional Land Transportation Office (LTO). However, it was later discovered that the driver had already been prohibited from driving by the LTO since 2023.
