Due to warrant of arrest for murder: Mayor Soc's son turns himself over to judge

Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez surrendered his adopted son, Joavan, to the Regional Trial Court shortly after they received a copy of the warrant for his arrest due to a murder charge.

Aside from his father, Joavan, was escorted by Talisay City Attorney Aurora Econg and city police chief Romeo Perigo when he turned himself in to judge Estella Alma Singco of RTC branch 12 who issued a warrant for his arrest last Monday.

Clad in white polo shirt and maong pants with a yellow face towel wrapped around his wrists to cover the handcuffs, Joavan, appeared to be relaxed in spite of the fact that he was already heading towards the city jail.

As he is charged with a non-bailable offense, Singco immediately issued an order for Joavan to be committed to the Talisay City Rehabilitation and Detention Center in barangay Maghaway.

The mayor said that his adopted son called him up yesterday morning and expressed his willingness to surrender after learning that there was already a warrant for his arrest. The elder Fernandez said he invited his son to come down from their house of prayer in barangay Candulawan, where he was allegedly staying after he posted bail for a case of frustrated murder filed against him, to turn himself in to authorities.

The mayor said that he explained to his son that it would be for his own good if he would surrender and face the case against him.

Fernandez denied that his son went into hiding after posting bail on the frustrated murder case filed against him by Timoteo Aleo. Aleo, however, already executed an affidavit of desistance.

Fernandez assured that there will be no special treatment for his son inside the city jail. He said Joavan will be mixed with other prisoners and will not be given special privileges because he is his son.

Talisay Police chief Perigo also gave the same assurance.

Fernandez on the other hand could not give a clear explanation on the presence of his city attorney in the court yesterday. When asked why Econg was with them, Fernandez said, as legal officer it is Econg's responsibility to know the mayor's whereabouts.

Fernandez however said that Econg is not helping the case of his son because they have their private lawyers, Celso Espinosa and George Bragat, who are taking care of it. The court has scheduled Joavan's arraignment on October 19.

Joavan is accused of shooting to death PUJ driver Panfilo Barinque on August 29. The victim was with Aleo sitting in a kiosk in barangay Cansojong. Aleo survived the shooting and filed a separate case of frustrated murder against Joavan.

Aleo however executed an affidavit of desistance recently saying that he is no longer interested to pursue the case against the accused. The case however is already pending in court, which will decide whether or not to dismiss the case based on the affidavit issued.

Speculations are rife that the mayor had a hand in the sudden withdrawal of the complaints of their earlier affidavits. But, Fernandez vehemently denied any involvement.

Fernandez said he never talked to the victims and that it is their own decision that they executed affidavits of desistance.-/NLQ