Joavan faces three complaints

CEBU, Philippines - The notorious adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez,  Joavan, is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, illegal possession of explosives and violation of the Commission on Election (Comelec) gun ban after his arrest Monday night.

Joavan was brought to the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday for an inquest proceeding.

Elements of the Talisay City Police arrested Joavan by virtue of a

bench warrant issued by Judge Mario Manayon of the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) for his failure to attend a hearing of his slight physical injury case.

The police recovered from his possession a 9mm pistol with four live ammunition and a hand grenade.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador defended his men after Joavan accused them of planting evidence.

Comendador assured that the action of his men were done in accordance with the law.

Comendador added that nine out of 10 suspects will always says that evidence recovered from them were planted.

“Pirmi na isulti sa suspect but we have to think the reputation of the person arrested ug dapat ba siyang tuohan kumpara sa pulis nga midakop niya,” Comendador said.

Comendador also challenged Joavan to bring to court his allegeations that Talisay City Police Chief Elmer Lim mauled him.

Joavan was arrested in the residence of his father in Southgates Subdivision in Barangay Bulacao after a month-long surveillance.

Comendador said they are yet to determine as to the liability of the mayor for reportedly hiding Joavan.

“Our focus now is to arrest him (Joavan) and file the case simultaneously.  Unya na lang nang sidelights,” Comendador said.

Lawyer Mae Elaine Bathan, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu City Chapter told The FREEMAN that if it will be proven that Socrates hid his son from the authorities, he can be held liable for obstruction of justice.

“If there is truth to such allegation that indeed Mayor Soc did in fact hide Joavan, then he may be liable to obstruction of justice. Of course these facts have to be verified,” she said in a text message.

Earlier, Lim said that Joavan has been hiding in his father’s house and they were just waiting for a good timing to arrest him. — (FREEMAN)