Magpale assures no special treatment for Joavan

CEBU, Philippines - Acting Governor Agnes Magpale has assured that no special treatment be given to Joavan Fernandez at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

Magpale, however, asked jail officers to make sure Joavan, the notorious adopted son of outgoing Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, is not hurt by fellow inmates.

Magpale said that neither Mayor Fernandez nor first district Rep. Eduardo Gullas has called her regarding Joavan.

"It was my own initiative to make sure I would have done it for anybody else nga ingon ana pagtratar," Magpale said.

Magpale is concerned about the security following reports that Joavan was taunted when he arrived at the jail last Wednesday, while inmates of the nearby Cebu City Jail also clapped their hands and shouted.

But Magpale stressed that she reminded Jail Warden Romeo Manansala of security for all inmates, not only to Joavan.

Magpale said that extra security should be in place considering that Joavan has already escaped from detention at the Talisay City Police Station.

CPDRC acting jail warden Dennis Aliño earlier assured that with the tight security at the jail, Joavan can no longer escape.

Joavan is detained at Cell 118 at the second floor of the CPDRC building together with four other inmates.

They are not giving special treatment, but the jail officer said Joavan must be given special attention considering that he is a high-profile inmate, having been declared as Cebu's public enemy number one after he escaped from jail last May 8.

Joavan was earlier arrested by the Talisay City Police in Barangay Bulacao last May 6 by virtue of a bench warrant issued by MTCC Judge Mario Manayon for his failure to attend the hearing of his physical injury case.

Two days later, Joavan escaped the custody of the Talisay City Police, but he and his two companions, Beneto Sellon and Carlito Cañada, were arrested in Barangay Saavedra, Moalboal town, last Monday, while preparing to leave for Negros Oriental on a pumpboat.  (FREEMAN)