Tricycle driver accused of molesting women

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Rogue tricycle drivers are giving commuters the jitters for their sinister plans to molest or even rape the vulnerable victims.

Just recently, a tricycle driver appeared he molested a string of passengers in Kalibo, Aklan. 

On February 22, two senior high school students took a tricycle from Aklan Capitol at around 3:30 p.m. to buy pet food. Instead of taking the direct route to downtown Kalibo, the tricycle driver insisted on driving them towards Barangay New Buswang and Andagao.

The victim said the tricycle driver allegedly tried to molest her by fondling her knees. Fearing for their safety, the students told the suspect to stop the tricycle near a condotel in Magdalena Village extension in New Buswang.

A condotel staff helped the victims, who then reported the incident to Kalibo police station.

The other case involved a student of Aklan State University in Barangay Andagao who complained to Kalibo police station that a tricycle driver allegedly had the intent to molest her.

While on her way home, the suspect picked up the female passenger near AKY gasoline station along Roxas Avenue Extension on February 22 to get to Dumaguit jeepney terminal on Quezon Avenue. But, the tricycle driver during the ride, he allegedly took the girl towards the Aklan Capitol area. 

Ignoring her pleas to drive her to the jeepney terminal, the 17-year old victim jumped out of the tricycle and later she sought police assistance. 

“Nanginginig ako sa takot habang papunta sa sakayan. Pagdating ko sa bahay, halos maiyak ako sa pagsabi sa nanay ko,” the teener added. 

Police traced the molester after the victims took note of the suspect's tricycle plate number FF25191. The suspect identified as Jeffrey Andrade, 32, from Barangay Polo in New Washington, Aklan, had previously admitted rape charges against him.

Andrade, however, vehemently denied his involvement for making physical contact and molesting his passengers while riding his colorum tricycle unit in the town of Kalibo.

Chief Inspector Terence Paul Sta. Ana, Kalibo police chief, said the suspect will be facing appropriate charges in a regional trial court after the victims had positively identified the tricycle driver. 

Police also reminded the commuters especially at night to note the body and plate numbers of tricycles they ride. 

The article was originally published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print or radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.