After arrest by NBI agents: Joavan now in Talisay City jail

CEBU - After his arrest late Monday night, Joavan Fernandez is back in Talisay City, not at his residence, but the city jail.

Fernandez was turned over by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to the Talisay City Jail management at 12:10 p.m. yesterday following a commitment order issued by Regional Trial Court branch 22 judge Manuel Patalinghug.

Prior to his incarceration at the Talisay City Jail, Fernandez was presented by the NBI to Patalinghug, who issued the warrant of arrest last Monday afternoon due to charges of serious illegal detention.

Fernandez is accused of being the mastermind in the mauling and kidnapping of cousins Osbert and Winston Abellana last August after the two allegedly stole the spare tire of the service vehicle of Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Joavan’s father.

Winston has already executed an affidavit of desistance to withdraw the case allegedly upon the prodding of the mayor.

Mayor Fernandez reportedly offered Winston a job at the Talisay City Hall and P20,000 cash to withdraw the case against his son.

But despite the desistance, the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office went ahead in filing the serious illegal detention charges against Joavan considering that the other complainant is determined to pursue the case.

Lawyer George Bragat, counsel for Joavan, said they are still contemplating on what legal actions to take following his client’s arrest.

When asked if they are filing a petition for bail, Bragat said they are still studying the matter.

While Joavan’s legal counsel is yet to decide what would be their next move, the NBI is gearing up to file other criminal charges against Joavan after he was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and bullets during his arrest last Monday night.

NBI operatives recovered several drug paraphernalia from Joavan’s pockets when he was searched following his arrest.

Aside from the drug paraphernalia there were also eight rounds of live caliber .45 ammunition found in his possession including a magazine for a KG-9 machine pistol and a magazine for caliber .45 pistol.

Lawyer Rennan Oliva, who led the team that arrested Joavan, said that they have also submitted Joavan to a drug test. A source, who requested anonymity, told The Freeman that he was initially tested positive for drugs.

However, NBI chemist Rommel Paglinawan refused to confirm it saying that he will still conduct a confirmatory test.

If Joavan tests positive for use of illegal drugs, Oliva said a separate case for drug using will be filed against him.

A member of the NBI team, which arrested Joavan, however said that the latter admitted to them that he is using shabu.

NBI operatives swooped down on a spa in barangay Tabunok Monday night were Joavan was getting a massage.

Joavan’s green Mitsubishi Pajero gave the NBI agents the idea of his location because it did not have a plate number.

The agents were, in fact, on their way home already after deciding to abort the operation for failing to locate Joavan since early in the evening of Monday even if they have already sought the assistance of a telecommunications company and the National Telecommunications Commission to locate Joavan’s whereabouts.

However, on their way to drop one of the agents in Camella Homes they spotted the green Pajero without a plate number prompting them to check it.

Happy With Arrest

The father of an alleged victim of abduction by Joavan said he is happy that the suspect has been arrested.

Oscar Abellana father of Osbert told The Freeman that he is thankful to the NBI.

He said that he cannot deny that he constantly was afraid while Joavan was free.

Oscar also told The Freeman that a jeepney barker told him that Joavan and four other men were looking for him last Friday.

Oscar also thanked 1st District Representative Eduardo Gullas, who promised to provide his family a lawyer.

Oscar said that he is firm on his decision to pursue the case that they filed against Joavan. /NLQ (THE FREEMAN)