Police dared to arrest Joavan

CEBU, Philippines - Former Provincial Board member and lawyer Raul Bacaltos has challenged the police in Talisay City to arrest the adopted son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, Joavan, recently accused of pointing a gun at a security guard of a subdivision.

“Now that it has been recorded in the police blotter, the next move that the police have to do is to apply for a search warrant,” said Bacaltos.

He however clarified that he is not issuing this statement as a political opponent of Mayor Socrates Fernandez, but as a resident of Talisay. Bacaltos, a Liberal Party bet, was Fernandez’s rival in the last mayoralty race.

He said that like all Talisaynons, he also fears for the lives of the people he loves and even the residents themselves who may become victims of Joavan because of his “unpredictable behavior.”

Last Saturday, Joavan was alleged to have pointed a gun at Cleto Dandan, 44, a security guard of Vista Grande Subdivision in barangay Bulacao, Talisay City.

Dandan, a resident of sitio Mananga 2, barangay Tabunok of the same city, immediately had the incident reported to the Talisay City Police Office, and there accused Joavan of pointing at him a caliber .45 pistol past 3 p.m. last Saturday.

Dandan said Joavan got mad when he stopped him from entering the subdivision with his green Mitsubishi Pajero. The irate Joavan allegedly pulled his gun and pointed it at him and uttered not-so nice words before speeding away, said the security guard on duty.

Also because of the incident, Bacaltos has called for the police to strictly implement the Commission on Elections gun ban. The gun ban was started in January 10 and is yet to end on June 9.

Cebu Provincial Police Office director Erson Digal has tasked Talisay City Police Station Chief Supt. Elmer Lim to monitor the mayor’s son.

Digal further ordered Lim to arrest Joavan right away if the latter is seen carrying a firearm.

“Pero kasagaran iyang hasion kay makaya ra man niya, sama sa mga gas boys, security guards… Muabot ra g’yud ang time na madakpan siya,” Digal said.

Digal also encouraged Dandan to file a case against Joavan because the CCPO is ready to assist him.

The CCPO director said that should Dandan request for police escort, the CCPO will be willing to provide if proven, after an evaluation, that there really is a threat on his life.

Dandan allegedly has not reported for work in Vista Grande Subdivision since last Sunday after learning that Joavan was looking for him in the place.

Dandan, employed by K&1 Diamond Security Agency, went to radio station dySS yesterday to ask for help for his security. He alleged that he has not gone home yet since the incident.

Dandan reportedly met Joavan the first time last Thursday to tell him to put a silencer in the exhaust pipe of his motorcycle so that it would not make so much noise as the residents have complained about it. (FREEMAN NEWS)