Talisay wants to recover government car used by Joavan

CEBU, Philippines – The Talisay City Government wants to recover the vehicle allegedly used by Joavan Fernandez when he left the Mango Square Mall in Cebu City last month where he figured in yet another controversy.

The Toyota Revo with plate number SGH-541 is now under the custody of the City Traffic Operations Management, but Talisay City Attorney Owen Algoso said there is no basis for its apprehension.

"The motor vehicle is not the object of the crime or its possession a violation of any law, there is therefore no legal basis for CITOM to retain and withhold the same from its lawful owner," Algoso said in a motion before the Regional Trial Court.

But the court failed to hear the motion yesterday, as Algoso and representatives of CITOM were not available.

CITOM took custody of the Toyota Revo during a hot pursuit operation after the security guard of Mango Square, Roland Ruiz, alerted authorities that Fernandez had boarded the vehicle after he showed his gun off at the mall.

Ruiz said Fernandez got irked with the way Ruiz looked at him when Fernandez engaged in an argument with a foreigner at the vicinity of the mall.

Fernandez allegedly pulled out a gun and showed it to Ruiz before boarding the Toyota Revo driven by Gabasa.

But only Gabasa was arrested when the vehicle was intercepted in Talisay City, as Joavan and his female companion reportedly alighted near Villa Bulsita in Bulacao.

Gabasa was placed under arrest for driving without license, which is in violation of Article I Section 19 of Republic Act 4136. He is currently facing a case before the Municipal Trial Court in Cities.

Algoso claims the City of Talisay is the registered owner of the vehicle. It is reportedly being used in the city's feeding program its continued detention would deprive the residents of Talisay of its "use and service."

Algoso argued there is no order from the court for CITOM to continue holding on to the vehicle, hence its prolonged stay with CITOM is allegedly illegal.

CITOM, for its part, said it will release the vehicle once the court orders it to do so. (FREEMAN)