HPG-7 cops file charges vs. Joavan and pals

CEBU, Philippines - Charges of illegal possession of firearm, illegal drugs and paraphernalia, disobedience to person in authority were filed yesterday before the prosecutor’s office in Lapu-Lapu City against Joavan Fernandez and four other companions.

Charged with Fernandez were Quazar Bacaltos Quiachon, Wilfredo Abellana Vega, both of Talisay City, Alinor Mamao Andingan of Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City and Mark Ryan Vega Alcover also of Talisay City.

Joavan and his four companions are presently detained at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7 detention cell after they filed waiver of detention.

Assistant City Prosecutor Ruso Zaragoza, the inquest fiscal, told reporters that he ordered Joavan and his four companions to file their counter affidavits within five days.

The city prosecutor’s office expects to resolve the case within ten days and decide whether to file the case or not before the Regional Trial Court.

Zaragosa assured the public that the decision will based on the evidence submitted by the authorities and they cannot be influenced from anybody especially Joavan, the adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez.

Charges were filed by the personnel of the Highway Patrol Group-7 led by PO1 Cerge Maceren.

The five were arrested by HPG-7 operatives after they were spotted going against the flow of traffic and using a siren, which is not allowed by law.

The plate number of the Isuzu Bighorn that they were riding could not also be seen as it was covered with tinted glass.

The apprehending officers also recovered a pistol, granules of shabu and drug sniffing gadgets inside the vehicle that Joavan used.

Maceren and his companions said that Joavan did not heed their call to stop, until they were cornered at the entrance of the Mactan airport where he introduced himself as a son of the mayor and claimed that he was in hurry to fetch his father.

The police spotted an empty holster on his waist and when they searched the vehicle they found the revolver under the driver seat.

Drugs tests on the five also found them positive for drug use.

Lawyer George Bragat, counsel of Fernandez, told reporters that he will have to get more information about the incident first as all his information are only based on newspaper reports.

Bragat, in an interview with The FREEMAN, said they will seek an extension for the filing of a counter affidavit if they cannot finish doing so in the five-day period that has been given.

The lawyer said that they are also looking into filing a motion for bail.

Fernandez has two pending cases before the Regional Trial Court.

The other cases he is facing are for serious illegal detention and robbery filed by cousins Oscar and Osbert Abellana. — Jose P. Sollano with Niña G. Sumacot/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)