CEBU CITY – Trouble seems to be the middle name of Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez’s controversial son.

Elements of the Highway Patrol Group Wednesday afternoon arrested Joavan Fernandez, who is out on bail, along with four other companions for going against the flow of traffic while headed towards Lapu-Lapu City.

The authorities followed the Isuzu Bighorn vehicle driven by Fernandez, who refused to stop even after he was given warning by pursuing officers. The chase went on and stopped at the entrance of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

Police immediately gave the vehicle a thorough check after seeing an empty holster tucked on the waist of Fernandez. Found in the vehicle was a .38 caliber revolver and two granules
of white crystalline substances believed to be methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.

They also recovered five empty packs which they believed had contained shabu and some paraphernalia used in sniffing the illegal substance. They policemen said Fernandez could not present a license for the gun.

Arrested with Fernandez were Wilfredo Abellana Vega, 46, of Cansojong, Talisay City; Quazar Bacaltos Quiachon, 33, of Miami Homes, Talisay City; Mark Ryan Alcover, 28, of Talisay City; and Alinor Mamao Andingan, 28, of Pajac, Lapu-Lapu City.

The five were brought to the HPG-7 headquarters inside Camp Sotero Cabahug along Gorordo Ave., Cebu City. Maceren said Joavan told them that his father owns the vehicle and uses it sometimes for business purposes.

George Bragat, lawyer of Joavan, went to HPG-7 Wednesday an hour after his client was arrested to get information. Bragat told reporters he will be back Thursday and consequently decide what to do with his client.

One of the police investigators, Insp. Emeterio Payoyo, said Fernandez and his companions will be charged for illegal possession of drugs and paraphernalia and illegal possession of firearms.

They will also be charged for illegally sounding off their vehicle siren, as stipulated by Presidential 96 which states that no one, except for designated persons, can use a siren or other forms of blinkers in public.