Fugitive Joavan caught in Moalboal resort before he flees to Negros Oriental

Joavan Fernandez, who made a laughing stock of the Cebu police by  sneaking out of a Talisay jail and eluding one dragnet after another, was finally collared yesterday morning in a beach resort in Moalboal town, south Cebu.

Police said Joavan, son of outgoing Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, and two companions were having breakfast in Club Serena in barangay Saavedra  when  Moalboal town police surprised them about 9 a.m.

Joavan’s group was set to  leave for Negros Oriental later in the day.

They did not resist when Joavan was served an arrest warrant  issued by Judge Soliver Peras of the Cebu City Regional Trial Court Branch 10.

Police said they found a .45 caliber pistol with five rounds of ammunition in Joavan’s possession.

Police said Joavan acquired a pumpboat in Minglanilla town right after he bolted  detention in Talisay City on May 8.

By day, Joavan stayed on board the pumpboat and moved from one resort to another at night.

Also arrested were his companions Benito Restor Sellon, 48 and Carlito Alforque Cañada, 38,  both of Tulay, Minglanilla town.

Cañada was also with Joavan when he was arrested in May 6 in the residence of his father barangay Bulacao in Talisay City.

Senior Supt. Patrocinio Commendador, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, sent extra policemen  to secure the police detention cell in Moalboal where Joavan and his cohorts were being held.

The controversial son of the mayor was declared “public enemy no. 1” by Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, chief of the Central Visayas police, after Joavan  walked out of  a police stockade  in Talisay City on May 8, two days after his arrest following a manhunt that lasted over a month.

Joavan, who is facing a string of criminal cases including frustrated murder, slight physical injuries, illegal possession of firearms and violation of the election gun ban, will be transferred under heavy guard to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center (CPDRC)  in Cebu City as soon as authorities complete  legal paperwork today.

Joavan was supposed to be transferred to Talisay City jail, but Comendador said the  mayor’s son should be held in a neutral place.

“That (Talisay) is his area. He can play there better kay naa siya’y advantage. We will put him in a position nga dili siya maka-meet sa iyang mga resources,” Comendador said.

Father’s lament

Sought for a comment,   Mayor  Fernandez who was elected councilor in the last May 13 election, said he would still seek his lawyer’s advice .

“I am still numb. I cannot speak yet about what happened,” the mayor said in Cebuano.

PO2 Edwin Illut of the Moalboal police, said a concerned citizen tipped them off about seeing Joavan check into the resort on Sunday night.

An employee of Club Serena said Joavan’s group checked in at around 5 p.m. Sunday.  A woman had booked a reservation for the fugitive’s group.

Reward

Mayor-elect Johnny V. Delos Reyes of Talisay City said he is thankful of Joavan’s arrest.

“Pasalamat ko nga nasikop na si Joavan nga buhi at least dili na mabalaka ang Talisaynon nga basin unya ug matripan (I’m thankful that Joavan was finally captured alive. Now at least, residents of  Talisay will be relieved that he’ll no longer create trouble in the city), ” he said.

Delos Reyes, a businessman who defeated Cebu Rep. Eduardo  Gullas in the mayoral race, earlier said he was willing to set a bounty for Joavan’s capture.

Asked if his offer to give a reward stands, Delos Reyes said they will have to wait until he formally takes over City Hall on July 1.  He said he plans  to source the reward from the intelligence fund of the Office of the Mayor.

Provincial police commander Comendador said the officers who effected Joavan’s arrest will be given a commendation.

Lawyer George Bragat, a family friend  who represented Joavan in several cases filed in court, yesterday said he’s not sure whether  he will remain as his counsel.

“I had no idea that he was recaptured by the police. So far, nobody from Joavan’s family called me to seek legal assistance on these new allegations against Joavan,” Bragat told Cebu Daily News by phone.

“I don’t know who the family wants to represent Joavan in the recent cases filed by the police. Even before Joavan escaped from jail, no one from his family called me up,” he added. /Gabriel C. Bonjoc and Joy Cherry Quito, Correspondents with Ador Vincent S. Mayol