THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) warned against gender-based harassment, reiterating that unwanted advances in public areas and on public transport are serious offenses punishable under Republic Act No. 11313, or the Safe Spaces Act (“Bawal Bastos Law”).
The advisory came after a 21-year-old woman reported being subjected to unwanted behavior while riding a bao-bao (three-wheeled passenger vehicle) at around 12:30 a.m. on Sept. 23.
According to the police report, the male suspect made intrusive personal inquiries, proposed a romantic relationship, persistently demanded her contact details, and touched her arm despite her resistance.
The victim managed to escape by running into her residence upon reaching her destination and immediately sought police assistance, citing severe distress and fear.
DCPO station personnel assisted the complainant upon receiving the report.
Under the leadership of director PCOL Peter B. Madria, the DCPO stressed that persistent advances, intrusive remarks, and non-consensual physical contact cannot be brushed off as jokes or attempts at friendly conversation.
“A person’s silence is not consent, and being in a public place does not give anyone the right to invade another person’s personal space,” the DCPO director stated, emphasizing that public transport falls strictly under protected public spaces covered by RA 11313.
The police command urged victims and witnesses of gender-based sexual harassment to report incidents immediately to the nearest police station, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD), or local barangay authorities, assuring that all complaints will be addressed with confidentiality and urgency.
