The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday confirmed that the taxi driver who attempted to rape a young girl in Antipolo was driving a “colorum” vehicle, a radio report said.
According to a Radyo Inquirer 990AM report citing LTFRB Board Member Ariel Inton, the suspect was driving a “colorum” taxi which was not under the franchise of Sampaloc Transit, Inc.
Harry Soriano, a resident of Barangay (village) Sto. Niño, San Mateo, Rizal, was caught in the act of molesting a Grade 5 student inside a taxi.
The report said a barangay official decided to check the vehicle because it was parked in an unpopulated area in Barangay Muntindilaw, Antipolo. He then spotted a young girl who was naked from the waist down inside the car.
Soriano was immediately arrested.
The report said the driver pretended to ask directions and then forced the girl into the vehicle.
According to the medico-legal examination, the girl tested negative for rape but authorities will still press charges of attempted rape and child abuse against Soriano.
According to Inton, the owner of the taxi will be penalized with a fine of P120,000.
A couple of days ago, a driver of a “colorum” van was accused of sexual assault, rape and robbery by several victims.
READ: Another victim tags colorum van driver, cohort in rape, robbery
LTFRB public information officer Mary Ann Salada, in an interview with UP Forum, said that commuters are only concerned with “availability and convenience.” This is why there is a growing number of commuters who are willing to take illegal public land transport, which in turn encourages operators to add more “colorum” vehicles.
Recently, the LTFRB has been clamping down on “colorum” Uber drivers. Kirsten Jamilla, INQUIRER.net trainee/RAM
READ: LTFRB fines abusive, colorum Uber driver P200k, cancels his franchise app