Ride-hailing app driver held for molesting passenger

CEBU CITY – A 22-year-old driver of a ride-hailing app was arrested after he allegedly robbed and sexually molested his 22-year-old female passenger in Barangay Mambaling here at dawn on Wednesday, March 12.

Police said the suspect is a second-year electrical technology student in one of the universities here.

The 21-year-old victim, a therapist, booked a ride and asked to be brought to Talisay City, Cebu.

The victim said they were traversing the South Road Properties when she noticed that the motorcycle she rode was not the one that she booked. 

The suspect stopped by the road supposedly to urinate.

The victim said she was shocked when the driver suddenly poked a screwdriver at her and declared a holdup.

The victim’s iPhone 11 worth P20,000 and P2,500 cash were taken.

The victim said after her belongings were taken she was brought to a dark area where she was molested.

The victim said she was taken to Barangay San Roque and was able to take a picture of the motorcycle’s license plate while the suspect was refueling in a gas station.

The suspect drove and the victim  sought help from the Mambaling Police Station 11 that led to the suspect’s arrest.

Police Lt. Lyndon Mondragon said they were able to track down the suspect through the global positioning system installed in the motorcycle. 

The suspect was cornered at the Transcentral Highway in Balamban town, Cebu.

Recovered from the suspect were the victim’s Iphone 11. The suspect told police that he has spent the P2,500 taken from the victim.

The suspect said he was forced to rob the victim to enable him to pay his tuition.