Hontiveros to Angkas: Probe alleged harassment of passenger

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called on transport provider Angkas to investigate the alleged physical harassment its driver committed against a female passenger. 

Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women, urged Angkas to follow Republic Act 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act also known as the “Bawal Bastos Law” to address the alleged incident. 

The incident reportedly happened last Saturday when the Angkas driver allegedly physically harassed his passenger, who booked a ride home from Project 6, Quezon City to Eastwood.

The driver was later apprehended. 

“Let me be clear. Walang lugar, kahit saan, para sa pambabastos. Tapusin na natin ang paghahari-harian ni ‘boy bastos’ sa ating lansangan,” Hontiveros said. 

(Let me be clear. There is no place for harassment. Let us end the reign of ‘boy bastos’ in our streets.)

“Having said that, confident ako (I am confident) that Angkas will be thorough in its investigation, and they will exact accountability,” the senator added. 

The Bawal Bastos Law aims to punish catcalling and other gender-based harassment in public spaces and online.

According to the Safe Spaces Act, actions or deeds considered as gender-based street and public spaces sexual harassment are committed through unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person, regardless of the motive.

Punishable acts include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic and sexist slurs, persistent uninvited comments or gestures on a person’s appearance; relentless requests for personal details, statement of sexual comments and suggestions; public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any unwanted advances, among others. 

READ: No more catcalling: Duterte signs ‘Bawal Bastos’ law

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