Bounty for Joavan, possible

OFFERING a reward for Joavan’s capture is possible, but that will depend on how “dangerous” he can be to society.

This was the reply of PNP Director-General Allan Purisima when asked if the police is considering offering a reward to anyone who could give information that will lead to the arrest of Cebu’s “public enemy no. 1,” Joavan Fernandez.

“We will deliberate on that in higher headquarters,” said Purisima, who was in Cebu yesterday to check on the readiness of security forces for Monday’s  elections.

Police on Friday checked a resort in Lapu-Lapu City after getting tipped off that Joavan was there.

The fugitive,  however, managed to slip out before the police arrived.

Fernandez, adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, bolted  the Talisay jail the night after he was charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and three days after his arrest following a three-week manhunt. Joavan was arrested on the basis of a bench warrant issued against him for slight physical injuries. He’s also facing a frustrated murder charge after he allegedly shot a car dealer’s watchman.

He fled in an SUV after the police guard in the stockade  allowed him to step out of  his cell to greet his visiting wife and children at 10:45 pm./Correspondent Chito Aragon