RID to probe claims Joavan uses drugs

CEBU, Philippines – The Regional Intelligence Division of the Police Regional Office-7 is now investigating claims Joavan Fernandez, the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, is using illegal drugs.

RID chief Patrocinio Comendador said they are doing a thorough investigation on the "serious" claims of Joavan's former bodyguard.

Guillermina Barrido, who came to the Pardo Police the other day to seek help, said that Joavan and his associates are drug users and that the supplier is an agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7.

Comendador said they even have the name of the agent whom Barrido identified as the protector and supplier, but is withholding his name pending investigation.

"Duna'y name nga gihatag sa atoa, pending for verification, basta naa la'y connection, some sort of protector," Comendador said.

PDEA-7 regional director Adrian Alvarino challenged Barrido to name the agent and file a case against him.

"This person is questionable. Lumutang lang siya noong nagkaroon ng isyu against kay Joavan. It's unfair dragging the name of our agency," Alvarino said, adding that they will be conducting their own investigation into the matter.

Alvarino clarified that all the drugs confiscated in their operations are directly submitted to the PNP Crime Laboratory.

Meanwhile, Benedict Gabasa, the man who allegedly drove the white Toyota Revo Joavan rode from the Mango Square Mall last Monday, was released on bail yester-day.

Joavan himself was allegedly waiting for Gabasa on board a Honda Civic with license plate numbers YEH-323 while three of his companions waited in a Ssangyong Rexton with license plate numbers YDK-428.

Gabasa posted a bail of P40,000 for illegal possession of drugs and P1,000 for driving without a license.

After the release order signed by judge Meinrado Paredes, Gabasa went outside and got on the Rexton. When asked by reporters why Joavan was there, Gabasa re-fused to comment.

Joavan allegedly turned on a siren as he left the compound of the Palace of Justice.

Gabasa was arrested Monday afternoon in Barangay Bulacao after a brief chase with the Mobile Patrol Group and the Pardo police. 

Earlier, Joavan was accused by a guard of pulling out a gun during an argument at Mango Square Mall. He was last seen getting on the Revo driven by Gabasa.

Joavan, however, was no longer inside the vehicle when the police intercepted it. He was not also included in the charges that were filed against Gabasa.

Gabasa was supposed to post bail last Wednesday but no one could sign his release order.

Chief Insp. George Ylanan of the Investigation and Detective Management Bureau of the Cebu City Police Office said they did not have enough evidence to link Joavan to the drug paraphernalia found inside the vehicle. The security guard also said he will not press charges against Joavan. -Niña G. Sumacot and Mylen P. Manto/BRP (FREEMAN)