For 'pointing gun' at nurse: Joavan finds trouble again

CEBU, Philippines - Joavan Fernandez, the controversial adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, found himself in trouble again.

Joavan, who is out on bail, was brought to the Talisay City Police Station yesterday after a nurse complained that the former pointed a gun at him after a traffic altercation.

This latest incident comes only three days after Joavan and a security guard smoked the peace pipe. The guard accused Joavan of harassing him also using a gun, but refused to press charges.

In this latest incident, the complainant, Vincent Joe Revilla Castrodes, 28, a registered nurse, said that Joavan pointed a gun at him.

Castrodes, who was driving a BMW with plate number LEU 777, said that while he was on his way south a red Isuzu Trooper with plate number YEZ 460 was coming out of the gate of Vista Grande Subdivision in barangay Bulacao.

Since the Trooper suddenly blocked his way, Castrodes, who resides at F. Llamas St., Cebu City, honked his car horn, which apparently irked Joavan, who was driving the SUV.

Castrodes said that the driver, who he later identified as Joavan, got out of the SUV then pointed a gun at him. He added that after Joavan pointed a gun at him, the mayor’s son returned to his vehicle and sped off.

The victim said that he rushed to the Talisay City Police Station in barangay Poblacion after the incident to report the matter.

 A team of policemen was dispatched to look for Joavan and followed him to a vehicle repair shop in sitio Sombrea, barangay Mohon of the city.

The policemen accosted the young Fernandez and brought him to the police station.

When Joavan was searched, there was no gun found in his possession.

The police could not, however, do a search of the vehicle as they had no warrant to do so.

A team of policemen secured the vehicle, but last night Mayor Fernandez allegedly retrieved a bag from the vehicle despite being informed that it was to be searched and the police were waiting for a warrant.

PO2 Epifanio Comendido, Jr. told reporters that the mayor did not heed the police and brushed them off saying that it was his vehicle and took out what he claimed was his bag.

The police, reportedly, were not able to stop the mayor.

Unlike Vista Grande security guard, Cleto Dandan, Castrodes is willing to file charges against Joavan, said Sr. Insp. Isagani Abalo.

Dandan, who was stationed at the gate of the subdivision, got Joavan’s ire when he told the mayor’s son not to make so much noise with his motorcycle because the residents were complaining.

The mayor has a house in the subdivision.

Dandan refused to file charges and settled the matter with Fernandez.

The allegations against Joavan brandishing a gun have come at a time when the election gun ban is still in effect.

The young Fernandez has also been the subjected of various complaints from gasoline station attendants and security guards when they would refuse to allow him to get fuel without the needed approval from the mayor.—with Gabriel Bojoc/NLQ (FREEMAN NEWS)