'Bawal bastos:' LTFRB urges public to report sexual harassment in PUVs

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday placed stickers for a hotline where commuters can report harassment and discrimination in public utility vehicles.

The move was part of the implementation of Republic Act No. 11313 or the “Bawal Bastos Law,” which was passed in 2018, according to Dano Tingcungco’s report on “24 Oras."

“Kailangan 'yung ating mga driver, konduktor, or any transport employees ay maging vigilant  din sila sa mga sumbong ng mga pasahero at kailangan po silang umaksyon dahil kung hindi meron din silang penalty,” said LTFRB Spokesperson Joel Bolano.

(The drivers, conductors, and employees should also remain vigilant on passengers’ complaints. If no actions were taken, then they may also be sanctioned.)

The LTFRB’s “bawal bastos” hotline is: 1234.

Under the Safe Spaces Act or the Bawal Bastos Law, "any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person” in public spaces may be penalized.

These actions include catcalling, wolf-whistling, unwanted invitations, misogynistic, transphobic, homophobic, and sexist slurs, sexual comments and suggestions, public masturbation or flashing of private parts, groping, or any advances, whether verbal or physical, that are unwanted and threaten one’s sense of personal space and physical safety.

The specified acts may be punishable by community service of 12 hours up to 11 to 30 days imprisonment for the third offense.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News