Joavan accused of mauling painter

CEBU, Philippines - Joavan Fernandez, the controversial son of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez, was accused of mauling a car painter for refusing his dare to a race last Saturday.

According to a report by GMA-7’s Buena Mano yesterday morning, painter Casimiro Briones was bloodied in the mouth and nose and left with bruises in his face after Joavan’s beating.

Briones, who is a resident of Barangay Candulawan, Talisay City, told Buena Mano that last Saturday, he and Joavan were making their way back to Talisay City from Cebu City when Joavan dared him to a race when they got to the South Coastal Road.

Joavan was driving his sports utility vehicle while Briones was on a motorcycle that had been lent to him by Joavan.

Briones did not say why he and Joavan had gone together to Cebu.

Briones said he refused to take Joavan’s challenge and the latter sped off leaving him behind. He decided to go home.

Later that day, Joavan reportedly called him to his house, and sensing that everything was okay again, Briones decided to see him. But the mayor’s allegedly started punching him.

As of yesterday afternoon Briones had not yet reported the incident to the Talisay City police.

Earlier this month Joavan fled from Cebu City and Talisay City policemen who tried to arrest him for malicious mischief. He ended up hurting four policemen and damaging a police car. —/BRP (FREEMAN)