Thursday, August 28, 2008
Joavan retracts, ‘I only carry toy gun’
A DAY after admitting he carried a gun for his protection, Joavan Fernandez took back his admission and said he carried only a plastic toy gun and not a real one.
Joavan, the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, also told dyLA he was misquoted in his first media interview.
In the interview with dyLA, Joavan admitted to being an occasional drug user. He, however, said this was before he was detained at the Talisay City Jail in Barangay Maghaway.
Protection
On Monday night, Joavan told radio dyHP he carried a firearm with him for protection.
Some sources say Joavan might have been coached to issue statements that will jibe with his father’s assertion that Joavan only has a plastic toy gun.
The mayor, a Catholic preacher, made the claim following a report that Joavan brandished a gun and threatened to blow up a gas station in Barangay Lawaan I last month.
The young Fernandez reportedly got irked as he was denied gas for his Isuzu Trooper Bighorn, charged to his father’s credit account.
As to his admission that he used illegal drugs, Joavan said this was before he got jailed for nine months in connection with the shooting to death of jeepney driver Panfilo Barinque in Barangay Cansojong in 2006. He is currently out on bail.
Advise
He was also charged with frustrated murder for the wounding of Barin-que’s jeepney conductor and two teenagers. The case, however, did not prosper as the victims signed affidavits of desistance.
Joavan said that since he has stopped using drugs, there was no basis for him to be confined in a rehabilitation facility.
Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, 1st district) advised Mayor Fernandez, a close political ally, to send Joavan to a rehabilitation center to put an end to his wayward ways.
Mayor Fernandez, in earlier interviews, welcomed Gullas’ suggestion but said it may have some legal setbacks on Joavan’s pending criminal case.
In yesterday’s interview, Joavan described himself as harmless, someone who is “iwas-gulo.”
Joavan confessed he hurt the two vulcanizing shop laborers—cousins Winston, 18 and Osbert Abellana, 21. He said that was the first time in his life that he hurt someone.
“Never in my childhood have I hurt anybody or asked my father to save me,” he said.
Carried away
Joavan said he only got carried away by his emotions as he felt that the vulcanizing shop personnel disrespected his father.
Mayor Fernandez had the spare tire of his Toyota Revo fixed at the vulcanizing shop, owned by Mercedita Abellana, in Barangay Tabunok early this month.
Joavan reportedly came to the mayor’s help following reports that the shop workers sold the tire in Barangay Basak, Cebu City.
Backed by five young bystanders, Joavan reportedly beat Winston and Osbert up outside his house in Friendly Homes, Barangay Tabunok early dawn of Aug. 11.
Joavan said he got irked with Winston as the latter tried to flee when he only invited him for questioning over the missing tire.
Accidental
In the absence of Winston’s father, Joavan reportedly took Winston in his custody. He reportedly planned to later turn him over to police.
Joavan said Winston accidentally slammed his head on a rock when boxed by his neighbor, causing a cut in his forehead.
He denied he whacked the two with his firearm.
The two claimed that Joavan was armed with a high-powered firearm that looked like an Ingram, which he allegedly used to beat them up.
“Nganong gibinuangan nila ang akong amahan, kahibawo sila nga mayor (Why did they dupe my father, they know he’s the mayor),” Joavan said.
Police filed two counts of illegal detention, grave threats and physical injuries against Joavan and his five detained friends at the Talisay City Prosecutor’s Office.
Joavan reiterated that Mayor Fernandez never intervened when he gets into trouble, including in the murder case he is facing. (GC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 28, 2008 issue)
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