Painter won't take Joavan to court

CEBU, Philippines - Because of fear, the mother of Joavan Fernandez’s latest victim has assured they will not file charges against the mayor’s son, and even asked that they be forgiven.

Erlinda Briones, mother of car painter Casimiro, who alleged that Joavan mauled him last Saturday, told police that they would not take the matter to court.

Despite prodding from the city police, Erlinda did not even have the incident reported to the Talisay City Police Station.

Erlinda said what they want now is for Joavan to leave them and her son in peace.

Casimiro left their house in barangay Candulawan last Tuesday dawn reportedly to keep his own family away from trouble in case Joavan would find him.

The car painter had a run in with the mayor’s son after he reportedly turned down his challenge for a drag race last Saturday.

Joavan was reportedly driving a sports utility vehicle then when he challenged Casimiro, who at that time was driving a motorcycle along the Cebu South Coastal Road.

The two were reportedly on their way to Joavan’s house for a paint job that Casimiro was commissioned to do for the mayor’s son.

 The plan was however aborted when the car painter sensed that Joavan’s mood turned foul after he turned him down.

The car painter traveled back home instead.

But Joavan reportedly called him back that same day for the paint job.

Believing that the mayor’s son’s mood was already better, Casimiro drove back to Joavan’s place.

But it was there where he was alleged beaten resulting to ugly bruises in his face.

Casimiro has however not reported the incident to the city police.

Meanwhile, Senior Inspector Errol Francis Deveyra, acting Talisay City Police Station chief, has advised Erlinda to immediately report anything that Joavan might do to her and her family. – THE FREEMAN