Joavan slips past police dragnet in Lapu

Cebu’s Public Enemy No.1,  Joavan Fernandez, has once again eluded authorities. The controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez managed to force his way through a checkpoint set up shortly before 7:00 p.m. last night in barangay Babag, Lapu-Lapu City.

PO3 Ferdinand Pablo of Talisay City Police Office spotted and confirmed Joavan was staying in a resort in Barangay Suba-basbas.

Pablo coordinated with Lapu-Lapu City Police chief Sr. Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas who immediately sent a team and raided the room where Joavan was staying around 6:00 p.m. where they found two of Joavan’s friends. They confirmed they were with the fugitive.

When police went out, the resort’s security guard told police that a Ford Everest SUV with plate no YKK-499 rammed the gate railing and sped towards Lapu-Lapu City proper.

Police coordinated with other police units and established road blocks at different exit points.

A team composed of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Air force personnel which were detailed in the area established a checkpoint at barangay Babag and later intercepted Joavan’s vehicle.

Joavan’s vehicle however hurdled the checkpoint resulting in a brief chase. Police fired at the vehicke and were able to hit its tire. Joavan stopped in the middle of the road and scampered to a slum area with a male and female companion.

Police searched for them but were unable to find them as of 10:00 p.m. last night.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 7 director Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo earlier said that they have set aside the manhunt for Joavan who is facing a string of cases including frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

“Immediately after elections we will deal with him. That is my order to the provincial police. Election is now the most important thing for us.

Joavan was collared by Talisay police last May 6 in front of his father’s house in Talisay City. He however embarrassed the police when he escaped by the Talisay City jail last May 8, prompting Garbo to declare him Cebu’s public enemy no. 1.

Joavan’s companions at the resort arrested and brought to the Talisay City Police Office for investigation.

Lawas said car rental papers found in the abandoned vehicle showed that he rented it from a certain Anna Marinas last April 30. /Norman V. Mendoza, Correspondent