CEBU, Philippines - For giving monetary aid to the Talisay City policemen who went to Tangub City in Misamis Occidental to serve a warrant of arrest, Joavan Fernandez will be given recognition.
Chief Inspector Eddie Recamara, officer-in-charge of the Talisay City Police Station, said that Joavan not only came with them to Misamis, the mayor’s son also helped them financially on their trip.
The police were in Tangub City to arrest Noel Simbajon, suspect in the shooting to death of PO1 William Mangubat Jr., a field training policemen who died while running after snatchers.
Recamara was with Inspector Hugo Rio Ipong and PO2 Roy Lofranco in that emergency trip.
Joavan has become a part of the crime buster team of the Talisay City police although many criticize the police’s move. Joavan has figured in several controversies, mostly involving violence, with several cases filed against him.
But Recamara appealed for the public to give Joavan a chance.
“Dili nila i-close ang ilang mind nga ang hepe usa ka professional nga polis ug ang polis kanunay gyud nang mag-enforce sa balaod, ug wala siya’y nahimo nga sala nganong ato man siyang dakpon? Kung duna man siya’y gihimong kaayohan kana tungod kay magbag-o ug iyaha nang katungod may katungod man gani ang mga piniriso ang tawo pa kaha nga wala pa makonbikto ug mahimo niya ang bisan unsay iyang himoon,” Recamara said. (People should not close their minds. If he has not done anything wrong, why arrest him? It’s his right to change his ways for good. Even prisoners have rights.)
But if Joavan would go back to his old ways, Recamara said he would not think twice in implementing the rule of law.
“Usa ko ka professional nga police officer akong igarantiya sa tanang katawhan nga ang gihimo ni Joavan ngadto sa kapolisan wala na magpasabot nga magduha-duha ko sa pagsikop niya kung makahimo siya og kalapasan,” the acting police chief said. (I’m a professional policeman and I assure everyone that this recent development would prevent me from arresting him should he violate the law.)
Recamara has yet to set a date on the giving of commendation to the mayor’s son. (FREEMAN)