Fugitive Public Enemy No. 1 of Cebu falls

CEBU’s Public Enemy No. 1 in the hands of police. TONEE DESPOJO/CEBU DAILY NEWS

CEBU CITY—The controversial son of outgoing Mayor Socrates Fernandez of Talisay City, Cebu, was recaptured on Monday in Moalboal town, around 90 kilometers south of this city.

Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr., chief of the Cebu provincial police, said Joavan Fernandez, tagged enemy No. 1 of the province, was arrested past 9 a.m.

Fernandez was arrested by the Moalboal police operatives headed by Inspector Henry Orbiso, chief of the Moalboal police station.

During his arrest, Comendador said a .45 cal. pistol was recovered from Fernandez.

Fernandez, who did not resist arrest, faces another charge of illegal possession of firearm and violation of the election gun ban, Comendador said.

The mayor’s son, who was with two male companions, was about to board a motorboat bound for Negros Oriental when he was arrested.

Before the arrest, Comendador said a concerned citizen had tipped off police on Fernandez’s presence in Club Serena in Sitio Bas Dako, Barangay (village) Saavedra, Moalboal town.

Fernandez escaped from the Talisay police detention cell past 10 p.m. on May 8 after jailer Police Officer 3 Leandro Alarcon allowed him to step out of the cell to embrace his live-in partner and their children.

He made his escape through a sports utility vehicle owned by the Talisay City government.

Fernandez is scheduled to be turned over to the Talisay City Jail in Barangay Maghaway, Talisay City, where he is expected to languish on the nonbailable charge of illegal possession of a hand grenade.

Fernandez had denied carrying the grenade, saying it was planted by the police.