Driver claims mayor's son shot him

A truck driver tagged the adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Jovan, as the one who shot and hit his truck at around 1:30 am last Thursday near a department store in Tabunok, Talisay City.

Gideon Guarin, 27, of barangay Libo, Sibonga, who was driving a truck loaded with charcoal, told the police that he was stopped by Jovan and ordered to disembark while the young Fernandez was going to check the cargo.

Jovan reportedly asked Guarin if he had the pertinent papers and permits to transport the charcoal, which Guarin was able to present.

Guarin alleged that despite showing the documents, Jovan did not allow him to proceed but instead asked for P2,000, which the victim refused to give. Guarin then returned to his truck to proceed to his destination, which was not reflected on the blotter.

Guarin related that when Jovan saw him leave, the young Fernandez tried to chase the truck and fired hitting the cargo box.

The victim could not however ascertain what vehicle was used by Fernandez to chase the truck or what firearm was used.

The Talisay City police are still waiting for Guarin to formally file the appropriate charges against Jovan.

The Freeman failed to get reaction from Jovan, but Mayor Fernandez, who only knew about he incident when his reaction was sought yesterday.

"Karon pa ko kahibalo niana. Nagkita mi gahapon (Thursday) pero wala man siya'y gisulti nako," (I just learned about that now. I saw him yesterday, but he did not tell me anything.) Fernandez said.

The mayor added that he does not believe that his son will be involved in the shooting saying that Jovan has no firearm.

"Duna diay na siya'y pusil? Basin siya ang gipusil?" (Does he have a gun? Maybe it was he who was shot at?) Fernandez said.

Jovan is one of the confidential assistants to the mayor. Before Jovan was appointed as one of the confidential assistants, he works as vanguard, which serves as the watchdog for trucks and cargoes in Talisay to check if they are illegally extracting sand and gravel or carrying illegal items.

Mayor Fernandez, however, asked the to conduct a thorough investigation on the incident and vowed there would be no whitewash of the case involving his son. - Garry B. Lao