Teener accuses taxi driver of rape

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Another complaint was lodged against a taxi driver in Iloilo City evening of September 17.

The complainant, 19-year-old Rose (real name withheld), accused a still unidentified taxi driver of sexually molesting her over the weekend.

But Major Shella Mae Sangrines, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) chief, said they are investigating the incident because there is still a lot of information that must be filled in.

“Medyo may mga inconsistencies pa ang statement sang biktima, which is normal if she was traumatized because of what happened,” she said.

Initial reports claimed that the victim, a resident of Iloilo province, flagged down the taxi at GT Mall in Pavia, Iloilo.

Rose said she asked the driver to bring her to her boarding house in Jaro, Iloilo City.

But instead of making a left turn to Barangay Sambag, Jaro, the driver sped towards Diversion Road in Mandurriao.

The victim said she was then taken to a lodging house where the alleged rape happened.

She did not mention being threatened with a weapon or a gun.

After the alleged rape incident, she was able to send her pinned location to her friend.

The driver eventually took her to the boarding house in Jaro.

On Sunday evening, she lodged a complaint before the Iloilo City Police Station 4 (Molo).

But upon initial verification, police investigators deemed that the incident may have happened in Arevalo district. Rose was subsequently referred to ICPS6 in said district.

Members of ICPS6 rounded the area where she was taken.

Eventually, it was deemed that the area where the alleged rape may have happened in Molo district. She was again referred back to ICPS4.

The victim could not remember the motel where she was taken or even the body number of the taxi.

“Right now, we have decided to let ICPS4 and ICPS6 conduct a parallel investigation,” Sangrines said.

She added that they’re reviewing close circuit television (CCTV) camera footage in areas where Rose claimed to have passed by.

The victim was also made to undergo a medical examination.

Last week, at least two taxi drivers hogged the limelight after they were complained about by their female passengers.

One claimed that the driver brought her to an out-of-the-way route while the other one alleged that the taxi driver fondled her.