Joavan gets ‘welcome’ from Cebu inmates

Taunts and threats greeted Joavan Fernandez when he was escorted by police to the Cebu provincial jail at 11:45 a.m. yesterday.
“Joavan bayot, putlan ka namo og liog, mag star dancer naka diha, himoon ka namo og balbacua (Joavan you’re gay, we’ll cut your neck. We’ll make you a star dancer. We’ll make you into a pork dish),” some inmates shouted at him.
Joavan’s foster father, Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, is trying to have him sent back to the Talisay City Hall stockade where he escaped from police guards last May 8, said Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, Cebu provincial police chief.
Comendador said he received a call from outgoing Rep. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu’s 1st district, relaying the mayor’s request for Joavan’s transfer back to Talisay City.
It was turned down.
“I believe if there is another opportunity, he (Joavan) would escape,” said Comendador.
The “star dancer” comment referred to the provincial jail’s choreographed group dancing by inmates, which has become a tourist attraction and global hit on the Internet.
Wearing sunglasses and a ball cap, Joavan was seated between two policemen in a patrol vehicle that came from Moalboal town, southwest Cebu, where he had tried to hide. Joavan’s wife accompanied him.
Joavan was assigned to a cell with four other inmates with high profile cases, said Senior Insp. Dennis Aliño, acting warden of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabiltation Center.
“It cannot be entered easily by people and it’s near the jail guards office,” he said.
Asked if Joavan would have to perform in the quadrangle like other dancing inmates, the warden said “everyone has to dance” here.
Dance therapy is part of the CPDRC’s rehabilitation program.
Aliño, who assumed as CPDRC warden last May 5 for the election period, said Joavan would be treated just like the other inmates.
“We will give him attention especially now that he just came in. We will still be monitoring what would be the threats if there are any,” said Aliño, concurrent Naga City Jail warden.
Joavan can still be visited by his family and lawyers.
Charges of illegal possesion of firearm, a grenade and violation of the election gun ban were filed against him earlier.
Aliño said Joavan’s cell can accommodate eight to 10 inmates but it is limited to six.
“Dili dali dali siya maka eskapo kay lig on ang atong (He cannot escape easily because this is a secure) facility”, Aliño said.
Comendador said Joavan is safer inside CPDRC than outside.
“He is creating his own risk. It’s riskier if he’s outside than inside,” Comendador said.
He said he also assured Gullas that no harm would befall Joavan inside the prison.
Mayor Fernandez said it would be good if Joavan is returned to the Talisay City Jail in barangay Maghaway so his family can visit him.
Supt. Elmer Lim, Talisay City police chief, said while the mayor’s request isn’t impossible, the court may not allow it since Joavan escaped from the Talisay City jail.
Last Monday morning, Joavan and two fishermen were eating breakfast at Club Serena beach resort in Moalboal town when they were arrested by the police.
The fishermen identified as Benito Restor Sellon and Carlito Canada , residents of Minglanilla town have been detained in the Moalboal police precinct.
A. 45 pistol loaded with five bullets was confiscated from Joavan’s possession.
Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Soliver Peras of Branch 10 said Joavan should have been presented to him before he was sent to the CPDRC.
He said he sent arrest warrants to the police to inform them of his orders last Tuesday.
Peras ordered Senior Insp. Henry Obiso, Moalboal police precinct chief, to explain why he failed to present Joavan before him at RTC Branch 10.
The judge raised Joavan’s bail on charges of illegal possession of firearms from P50,000 to P500,000 and his violation of the election gun ban from P60,000 to P300,000.
Obiso earlier said they chose to present Joavan before RTC Judge Leopoldo Canete of Branch 60 in Barili town since they arrested Joavan in Moalboal town for another case.
Joavan faces charges of illegal possession of firearms, election gun ban violation and illegal possession of explosives before Judge Peras.
Illegal possession of explosives is a non-bailable offense. Correspondents Chito Aragon, Gabriel C. Bonjoc and Joy Cherry S. Quito and Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol