Jeep driver who allegedly groped passenger to face raps

The jeepney driver who was shown in a viral video taken May 23 allegedly groping his female passenger will face charges for acts of lasciviousness, a report on News To Go on Tuesday said.

The driver, identified as Emmanuel Escalona, faced his alleged victim at a hearing at the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Monday.

During the hearing, the victim became emotional when she saw the driver.

In his defense, Escalona said he just accidentally touched the victim while he was covering the cellphone camera directed at him.

However, the driver could not explain why he uttered some malicious words to the victim.

With this, the victim will file charges against Escalona for acts of lasciviousness and will ask for the cancellation of the franchise of the jeep.

Atty. Ernesto Francisco Jr., the lawyer of the victim, also asked for a 30-day preventive suspension so the jeepney will not be driven while the investigation is ongoing.

The LTFRB will also recommend the cancellation of Escalona's driver's license.

The victim said her sibling posted the cellphone video on Facebook to warn others and to seek help from authorities. —Kiersnerr Gerwin Tacadena/KG, GMA News