DURING A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT: Motorists accuse Joavan of gun-toting

CEBU, Philippines -  Joavan Fernandez, the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, is at it again.

The younger Fernandez has entangled himself anew with the law, this time, allegedly brandishing and pointing a handgun to at least two individuals whom he had figured in a traffic accident with while driving his vehicle at the corner of barangays Pooc and Lawaan I in Talisay City at 3:54 a.m. yesterday.

The incident happened despite the existing gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections.

Joavan was allegedly driving his Isuzu Bighorn (YEZ-460) when hit by the Suzuki 110 motorcycle driven by Jonathan Ignacio, 24, of Inayagan, Naga City.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, Ignacio, who has his wife on pillion when the incident happened, said that instead of helping them, Joavan immediately got out of his car, approached them, pulled and cocked a handgun and pointed it at him, while saying: “Wa ka kaila nako nga akoa ang Talisay?”

Ignacio said that he and his wife, Iren, were on their way to Lapu-lapu City to report to work, when they figured in an accident with the mayor’s only son.

He narrated that prior to the accident, he already noticed the Isuzu Bighorn of Joavan as it reportedly dropped a female passenger near a gasoline station in the area.

Ignacio claimed he was just surprised when Joavan’s vehicle overtook him and allegedly without warning turned right, causing his motorcycle to bump into it. Because of the impact, Iren was allegedly thrown at a corner, while he and the bike were at the car’s bottom.

Still shocked from the accident, Ignacio said he picked himself up and he was joined by his limping wife when Joavan approached them and pointed a gun at him.

Frightened, the couple was allegedly not able to react to the threat and instead hugged one another while they shiver in fear.

Ignacio claimed he had not met the younger Fernandez until yesterday’s incident.

A motorcycle-for-hire driver later on approached them to inquire what had happened but got the same treatment from the angry Joavan.

“Gitiunan sad niya ang driver sa habal-habal mao nang nilakaw nalang,” said Ignacio.

Another driver of a car parked nearby also came and advised that they should talk it over but Joavan reportedly did not budge.

Then about five minutes later, two traffic police, who were later on identified as PO2 Roelito Tano and PO3 Ereolito Saladas, arrived and brought the two parties to the traffic police division office in Barangay Tabunok.

Ignacio said he told the traffic enforcers that Joavan was armed but added he could not remember the two frisking the mayor’s son.

There was no gun found in the possession of Joavan.

At the traffic division office, Ignacio, whose right hand was severely bruised from the accident, said he was asked for his driver’s license, among others but traffic personnel allegedly did not insist in taking Joavan’s license, which the latter said, was left in his car.

During the interrogation, Joavan was allegedly “busy texting” and was released soon after while Ignacio was brought to the Talisay District Hospital for treatment.

Supt. Henry Binas, Talisay City police chief, said that if the two parties had met an agreement, it is okay not to detain Joavan.

But as to the case of bringing a gun during the Comelec ban, is another matter, he said.

In an interview over dyRF Radyo Fuersa, Tano said he could not just search Joavan’s vehicle as it was a vehicular accident. He said that such can only be done after a lawful arrest.

As of press time, a hot pursuit against the mayor’s son is still being conducted.

Also, Biñas said that they are also looking into the claim of Ignacio that the two responding traffic policemen did not mind frisking Joavan. 

The police official added that as of yesterday, affidavits and evidences for the filing of two cases against Joavan were already prepared.

The mayor’s son will be slapped with reckless imprudence resulting to damage of property and illegal possession of firearms.

Biñas said he had also directed SPO4 Henry Orbiso, city police traffic chief, to check if Joavan’s Isuzu Bighorn is registered.

Meanwhile, Biñas, a practicing lawyer himself, said that the latest incident should not affect Joavan’s temporary liberty, as this is separate from the previous charges that he is currently facing in court. — Liv G. Campo/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)