Joavan arrested for assault

CEBU, Philippines - Joavan Fernandez, the controversial adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch yesterday afternoon outside the Palace of Justice.

The arrest was for the case filed against him for direct assault. The warrant was issued by Judge Pamela Baring-Uy of the Municipal Regional Trial Court Branch 6 last May 6, 2011.

Joavan was charged with direct assault after he hit an IDMB vehicle during a chase in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, last February.

Criminal Investigation and Detective Management Branch chief George Ylanan said right after they received the warrant in the afternoon, they immediately looked for Fernandez at 8th St., Lower Mansueto, Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, but he was not there.

“Gilibot namo ang Talisay wala ngadto maong gapaabot mi og info kung asa siya,” Ylanan said.

At about 4:30 p.m., PO2 Ruben Quita informed them that Joavan will be at the Palace of Justice to post a bail for another pending case.

The IDMB personnel came a few minutes before Joavan arrived. They then served the warrant and arrested Joavan, who did not resist as policemen handcuffed him.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said they still have two other pending cases filed against Joavan; illegal possession of illegal drugs and damage of government property, all arising from the same incident three months ago.

Last February, Joavan allegedly rammed his car against a police vehicle, a Mitsubishi Sedan with plate number SHU-126, escaping from policemen trying to serve an arrest warrant against him for malicious mischief.

The IDMB tailed Joavan after former Talisay chief Henry Biñas asked for assistance in arresting him, but Joavan swerved after noticing that he was being followed.

Ylanan stepped down from their vehicle and approached the Honda Civic with plate number YEH-323 and introduced himself as police officer, showing the warrant of arrest.

But Joavan suddenly stepped on the gas and almost hit Ylanan and hit thrice the IDMB vehicle head-on before speeding towards Barangay Carreta, where his vehicle was later recovered.

Policemen found 20 small packs of shabu, a pink pouch and two cellular phones inside the abandoned car.

For over an hour yesterday, Mayor Fernandez waited for Joavan in the office of Judge Uy but the police did not bring Joavan to court.

The mayor then proceeded to the CCPO to see his son. When he arrived at the CCPO headquarters and saw members of the media waiting, the mayor quickly grabbed a motorcycle helmet to hide his face as he faced his son in the stockade.

Mayor Fernandez said it is up to the lawyer of Joavan to determine any violation of human rights during the arrest.

He said he was the one who convinced Joavan to appear in court to sign the documents after Judge Uy said she wanted to see the “warm body” of Joavan.

“Tinuod tingali nga naay process ang police in arresting a person, but the span of time ilang gihikaw, dili unta rason na kay they arrested Joavan at around 4:10 and Judge Uy waited for until 5:30 p.m.,” the mayor earlier told reporters.

The other day Joavan reported to the Talisay City Police station alleging that Ylanan and some Cebu City policemen harassed him.

Joavan said the incident happened Tuesday night in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City, but he had it recorded at the city police station just the other night.

Ylanan and “other Cebu City policemen” allegedly chased him while he was driving his red Isuzu Bighorn from Cebu City until he reached Barangay Bulacao.

Ylanan’s team chased Joavan after receiving an alarm that he allegedly manhandled his girlfriend while they were inside his car around 11 p.m. in Carreta, where she rents a room.

Shortly after receiving the alarm the Mobile Patrol Group personnel responded and searched for Joavan. The team reportedly saw him in Gen. Maxilom Ave. The responding policemen chased Joavan and alerted the other stations that the mayor’s son would pass by, but they failed to intercept him.

Ylanan said that although what happened inside the car with Joavan’s girlfriend was personal, the police can still intervene as it happened in public.

Ylanan said he will answer all allegations in the proper forum. —/BRP (FREEMAN)