‘BAWAL BASTOS’ IN CALABARZON PUV’S LAUNCHED

POLICE Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon)  on Monday  launched the “Bawal Bastos” drive in the region.

PRO4A director Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas led the ceremonial placement of the “Bawal Bastos Law” stickers on tricycles and other public utility vehicles (PUVs) in front of Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna.

Members of the Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA), Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) drivers, and criminology students from Calamba City attended the event.

During the ceremony, stickers were prominently displayed on tricycles, jeepneys, buses, and other public transportations.

The stickers serve as a clear reminder that any form of harassment—whether physical, verbal, or online—is unacceptable and will be subject to legal penalties under Republic Act 11313 or the “Bawal Bastos Law.”

The  “Bawal Bastos Law” or the Safe Spaces Act aims to combat all forms of gender-based harassment in public spaces, including streets, public transport systems, workplaces, and online platforms.

Under RA 11313, a penalty of prisión correccional or imprisonment for 6 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months, or a fine ranging from ₱100,000 to ₱500,000, or both, at the discretion of the court, shall be imposed on anyone found guilty of gender-based sexual harassment.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) may revoke the driver’s license of individuals found guilty of committing sexual harassment in PUVs.

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) may suspend or revoke the franchise of transportation operators involved in acts of gender-based harassment in public spaces and transport systems.

This awareness campaign aligns with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP’s) broader objectives of promoting gender equality, ensuring personal safety, and upholding the dignity of every individual.

By placing the stickers in prominent locations, the initiative aims to raise awareness and encourage the public to foster respect for others, especially women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other vulnerable groups who are frequently targeted by harassment.

Lucas reiterated the importance of community support in making  Calabarzon region safer from all forms of sexual harassment, especially in public transportation, and places of convergence.

“Through this campaign, the Philippine National Police hopes to create a safer and more respectful environment, especially for women and other groups that are often the targets of harassment,” Lucas said.

“These stickers serve as tools for education, helping to raise awareness and encourage better behavior among public transport operators and passengers alike. Our goal is to inspire mutual respect in every interaction and make public transportation a more welcoming space for everyone,” he added.