Cabbie nabbed for ‘flashing’ passenger

A taxi driver was arrested Friday for allegedly fondling his genitals in front of his passenger in Pasig City.

Gaudencio Nieva Jr., 31, who works for Merjun Taxi, admitted the crime but asked his victim, a 22-year-old female nurse at the Medical City, for forgiveness.

The victim vowed to pursue the case against him and the police are preparing to charge him with attempted rape.

Police Officer 3 Larry Palattao said the victim boarded Nieva’s taxi on Ortigas Avenue at about 2:30 p.m. and asked the driver to take her to Emerald Avenue.

Nieva brought the victim to the C-5 flyover and then to the parking lot of a mall along Julia Vargas Avenue. Twice he fondled himself and asked her to have sex with him.

The nurse said she was willing to do so, but only after she fulfills a previous appointment. Palattao said Nieva left his cell phone number and told her to send him a text message when her appointment is over.

The nurse went straight to the Eastern Police District headquarters to report the incident. EPD director Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz ordered an entrapment operation against Nieva.

Nieva claimed he did not intend to rape the nurse, but only wanted to relieve himself.  – Non Alquitran