Joavan "threat" turns out false

CEBU, Philippines - Joavan Fernandez’s “reformed image” survived scrutiny yesterday as a reported threat he allegedly made against a girl turned out to be false.

Policemen rushed to the House of Prayer in Vista Grande, Bulacao, Talisay City at 2 a.m. yesterday after receiving a report that Mayor Socrates Fernandez’s adopted son threatened to shoot a girl.

Sarah Bermijo, the mother of the 17-year-old errand girl of Joavan, went to the City Intelligence Branch of the Cebu City Police Office at past 1 a.m. yesterday to tell them that Joavan wanted to kill her daughter, SPO1 Jeffrey Diola said.

She showed them a text message from her daughter asking her to fetch her from the House of Prayer because Joavan threatened to shoot her with a .45 cal. pistol.

Diola said they responded to the area, together with Chief Insp. Eddie Recamara, chief of the Talisay City Police Station, and found no commotion at the House of Prayer.

Diola said they saw Joavan painting his car while a few girls were drinking liquor near him.

The girl was hiding outside the House of Prayer and approached the policemen when they arrived at the place, Diola said.

Diola said they brought the girl back to the House of Prayer where she could face Joavan.

Diola said the girl initially argued with her mother as she denied sending any message that Joavan threatened to kill her. But when her uncle, who accompanied her mother, showed her the text message she forwarded to her mother, the girl then admitted.

“Ingon siya ‘ako lang to gisulti para inyo gyud ko kuhaon diri.’ Gipalayas man na siya ni Joavan unya wa tagai og pamasahe,” the policeman said.

Diola said Joavan told the half-Caucasian minor, who is allegedly a tomboy, to leave.

“Gipalayas kay manghilabot daw ingon si Joavan,” Diola said.

The girl, as soon as she faced Joavan again, did not mention the alleged threat.

“Miingon ra siya kang Joavan ‘nganong pasanginlan man ko nimo nga nangawat nga di man tinuod ‘na.’ Murag nakatama pa bataa. Ako gani to gipangutana basin nakatama pa ka,” Diola said.

Diola further said the minor, originally from Davao City, has been staying at the House of Prayer for a few months now as Joavan’s errand girl.

Diola said they brought the girl to their office and later turned her over to her mother who lives along Gorordo Ave. in Cebu City.  (FREEMAN)