BLOTTER

JOAVAN PLEADS NOT GUILTY

JOAVAN Fernandez pleaded not guilty to a frustrated charge stemming from accusations that he shot a car shop watchman in Talisay City.

The controversial son of Talisay City Councilor Socrates Fernandez was arraigned before Regional Trial Court Judge Estela Alma Singco of Branch 12 last Thursday. He was assisted by his lawyer George Bragat.

The pre-trial conference of the case is set on December 5.

Joavan was accused of shooting Eduardo Largo Jr. last April 12 in barangay San Isidro, Talisay City. Largo sustained two gunshot wounds in both arms. Joavan is presently detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center. He is facing a separate case for illegal possession of explosives, a non-bailable offense./REPORTER ADOR VINCENT S. MAYOL

GUNSMITH IN DANAO FALLS

FOR 10 years , 24-year-old Marjon Castro has been engaged in the illegal manufacture of guns in Danao City.

Castro, of barangay Masaba, Danao was arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Thursday morning.

CIDG operatives found some P70,000 worth of assorted firearms, gun parts, machineries and equipment believed to be used in manufacturing guns.

Police headed by Supt. Fermin Armendarez III had a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Teresita Galanida.

In an interview, Castro admitted that he has been making guns since he was 14.

He used to work as a gun smith, but his salary was not enough./CORRESPONDENT CHITO O. ARAGON