While about to leave for Negros: Joavan arrested in south

CEBU, Philippines - Two weeks after escaping detention in Talisay City, the man dubbed as Cebu’s public enemy number one was recaptured yesterday morning at a resort in Barangay Saavedra, Moalboal town.

Joavan Fernandez was about to depart for Negros Oriental using a motorized banca when apprehended together with two companions by the police about 9:30 a.m.

He did not resist the arrest.

Moalboal police said at around 2 a.m. Joavan arrived at the Club Sirena beach resort in Barangay Saavedra.

They said they received a call from unidentified person informing them that the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez and his companions were at the resort.

The police immediately rushed and surrounded the area.

PO2 Stewart Bayang, who was part of the operation, said when they arrived, they were not able to notice Joavan.

He said they only saw two men, who were later identified as Beneto Sellon, 48, and Carlito Cañada, 38, both from Tulay, Minglanilla.

The two men were standing near two pump boats as if they were waiting for someone, Bayang said.

Few minutes later, the police saw Joavan go out from a room and immediately swooped down on him.

A surprised Joavan reportedly tried to escape but was being surrounded by policemen. Police seized from Joavan’s possession a Colt .45 caliber pistol.

Bayang said they received information that Joavan was also armed with a hand grenade.

“Naa may info nga nagbitbit na siya og granada mao nga gipalibotan na siya. Unya misuway mana siya ug ikyas, pero wa gihapon ka ikyas,” Bayang said.

Bayang also said that it was possible that Joavan was using the two pump boats to escape from Cebu.

When The FREEMAN tried to get Joavan’s side, he only said: “Naa ko abogado, abogado ra nako.”

Provincial jail

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador said they already had an idea that Joavan has a hideout in Moalboal.

Joavan, this time, will be jailed at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC), he said.

Comendador said he will not allow Joavan to be detained at the Talisay City police stockade as he might escape again.

“Though both police units have jurisdiction kung asa siya i-detain pero adto nato siya ibutang sa lugar nga wala siyay kaila so he could not use his resources (to escape again),” he said.

Aside from cases for illegal possession of firearm, explosive and violation of Comelec gun ban, another case for illegal possession of firearm and violation of the Comelec gun ban will be filed against Joavan.

A separate case for harboring a criminal will also be filed against Joavan’s two accomplices, Comendador said.

Commendation

Comendador will be commending his men for Joavan’s recapture.

He said that despite their busy schedules during the election, they were able to track down and arrest Joavan.

“Atong hatagan og igo nga commendation atong kapulisan for arresting a sensational criminal,” Comendador said.

On May 6, police arrested Joavan in Barangay Bulacao and confiscated from him a 9mm pistol with four bullets, and a hand grenade.

Police was about to file charges against Joavan when he escaped from jail three days later, prompting Police Regional Office-7 director Marcelo Garbo to tag him as public enemy number one in the province.

On May 13, Joavan was sighted at a hotel in Barangay Suba Basbas, Lapu-Lapu City but he eluded arrest during a police operation. -LPM (FREEMAN)