‘Abusive’ taxi driver faces LTFRB probe

A photo collage of the Metro Cebu taxi ridden by passenger Shawnaleh Micah Rivera Rosal who posted the images on Facebook after the driver groped her leg. (contributed photo by Shawnaleh Micah Rivera Rosal)

THE Cebu City taxi driver who was accused of making sexual advances on a  female passenger denied groping the woman’s leg or uttering lewd remarks.

Elmer Jalalon of Richielda Taxi  showed up at the office of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Central Visayas (LTFRB-7) last Monday. He was  traced through the taxi’s  body number (0757) and plate number (GXK-860) after the complainant took photos with her  cameraphone.

Jalalon was asked to submit an affidavit  to reply to allegations of Shawnaleh Micah Rivera Rosal. A hearing will be set after Nov. 1.

“We are expecting him to submit on Monday or Tuesday. If there is none, the office will issue a resolution  and forward it to the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7),” said Emil Membrillas, LTFRB-7 assistant information officer.  The LTFRB  regulates franchises of taxi operators while the LTO handles drivers licenses.

Last week, the LTO-7 issued Jalalon a subpoena requiring him to come to the office but  he failed to show up. A second subpoena will be sent next week.

“We also want to encourage the complainant to come to the office and file a formal complaint. We learned about the incident through Facebook,” said  Joel Maloloy-on, LTO-7 operations chief.

Rosal, an employee, rode the taxi with her  aunt, a young  cousin and two house helpers last October 23 from Ayala Center Cebu to barangay Guizo, Mandaue City.  She said   Jalalon  drove at high speed, and took a route through  a poorly lit area of Hippodromo, claiming he wasn’t familiar with the way.  Rosal said she was  shocked  when the  driver later groped the top of her left leg and said, “Lami kaayong ikaon ug chicks karon.”

Rosal took photos of the taxi and  posted them on Facebook, where she described her ordeal.