LIBUNGAN, North Cotabato — A member of the LGBT community, Jhyd Bacaro, is calling for justice and respect after allegedly being sexually harassed by a tricycle driver in Libungan, North Cotabato, on Friday, October 17, 2025.
According to Bacaro, the incident occurred while he was on his way to his cousin’s house in Libungan. He narrated that after his companion and another passenger had disembarked, the driver continued driving past his supposed drop-off point and took a different route.
The driver allegedly made indecent remarks and pressured him into performing sexual acts, causing Bacaro to fear for his safety. “He insisted and asked me inappropriate questions. I was so scared because I didn’t know what he was planning to do,” Bacaro recounted.
Bacaro was able to record a short portion of the incident before his phone battery died. Authorities have since traced the tricycle’s body number, and Bacaro is set to meet with barangay officials to discuss the case.
He urged fellow LGBT members not to be afraid to report incidents of harassment and called on tricycle drivers to treat passengers with dignity and respect. “No one deserves to be disrespected. We must stand against any form of harassment,” he said.
Under the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313) or the Bawal Bastos Law, acts such as catcalling, lewd gestures, unsolicited touching, and verbal harassment based on a person’s appearance, clothing, or identity are punishable offenses.
The case serves as a reminder for public transport drivers to uphold professionalism and protect the safety of all passengers regardless of gender or identity.