Cebu mayor's son 'slaps' security guard

CEBU CITY -- At the start of Holy Week, Joavan Fernandez allegedly slapped a newly-hired guard of Vista Grande Subdivision in Barangay Bulacao, Talisay City Monday night.

A police team responded to the scene but the adopted son of Mayor Socrates Fernandez already left aboard his Red Isuzu Bighorn.

Investigation showed that Joavan reportedly blew his top after Hipolito Abe, 47, married, of K and L Security Agency, barred him from entering the main gate of the upscale subdivision past 7 p.m.

Joavan reportedly slapped Abe in the face after he stopped the former's sports utility vehicle from entering the gate. Abe had the incident recorded in the police blotter.

Acting Talisay Police Station Chief Errol Francis Deveyra advised Abe to have himself examined and to secure a medical certificate for the filing of a criminal case.

"Whether he had a witness or not, he can file a case. We will assist him," Deveyra said.

Reporters tried to get the reaction of Mayor Fernandez but he was out of City Hall on Tuesday morning.

Vista Grande guards have been instructed not to allow Joavan from using the main gate as his access to the House of Prayer owned by his father, Mayor Fernandez.

The House of Prayer, which is located in the neighboring Pacific Heights Subdivision, can be accessed either through the Vista Grande gate or the Pacific Heights road.

Priscilla Capul, a Pacific Heights resident, said she learned that the Vista Grande Homeowners Association, headed by Derlie Anderson, has decided to hire a new set of guards after it noticed that the previous group of guards showed laxity in imposing the ban.

The association got fed up with Joavan's allegedly abusive behavior that it banned him from entering the subdivision.

"He drives so fast as if he owns the road," Anderson earlier said.

Although he cannot get access through the Vista Grande main gate, Joavan can drive to the House of Prayer by passing through the Pacific Heights road.

Last Monday night, he chose to pass through the Vista Grande gate.

Last December, Joavan allegedly fired at Raymond Paran, a 19-year-old store attendant at Vista Grande's clubhouse, for not immediately taking his order of two bottles of soft drinks.

Paran was not hit, though, as Joavan reportedly did not aim the gun directly at him.

The case is still up for resolution in court even as Paran already signed an affidavit of desistance. (GC/Sun.Star Cebu)