Mark Anthony Fernandez now in crowded jail

BEHIND BARS Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez says the kilo of marijuana found in his possession by policemen was to be used as medicine to prevent cancer. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

ANGELES CITY – Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez was ordered transferred to a congested jailhouse on Wednesday by the city prosecutor while he underwent preliminary investigation for possessing a kilogram of marijuana.

The actor was caught by the police on Monday night when he did not stop at a police checkpoint here.

Fernandez, 37, had been held at the Angeles police’s Station 6 since Monday night when policemen found dried marijuana laid open in a bag at the passenger’s seat of his car.

The prosecutor’s office here committed the actor to a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) facility after the police filed on Tuesday charges against Fernandez for transporting and possessing marijuana in violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Section 5 of the law addresses “the sale, trading, administration, dispensation, delivery, distribution and transportation of dangerous drugs.” Because the death penalty may not be enforced, drug suspects found violating the law face life imprisonment and fines of up to P10 million.

More than 500 grams

Fernandez, police said, could not be granted temporary freedom because the marijuana found in his car weighed more than 500 grams.

His closest relatives have yet to visit him.

In less than 24 hours since he was arrested at the boundary of Angeles City-City of San Fernando, the actor had changed his statements.

He first admitted owning the marijuana which he claimed he was using for cancer prevention. Later, Fernandez denied owning the weed and had accused policemen of “planting” it in his car.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, on Wednesday defended his men.

“First, we don’t have any reason to plant marijuana in his car. Second, it is against the law to plant evidence. Third, the checkpoint was legitimate and done regularly,” Aquino said.

By chance

“He would not be able to evade the law. Marijuana and its residues  are all over his car, on the seats, on the flooring. In plain view, our policemen immediately saw the pack of marijuana on the passenger’s seat because the windows on the left and right sides were opened. And so our men chased him,” Aquino said.

“It was by chance that the arrest was made,” he added.

A urine test conducted on Tuesday found Fernandez positive for marijuana. The result of a confirmatory test done at the police crime laboratory in Camp Crame in Quezon City would be released late this week.

Aquino said Fernandez was not on the Central Luzon police’s watch list of users or pushers because he did not live in the region.

It was after the actor’s arrest when reports surfaced that he had  been frequenting Barangay Ninoy Aquino here where he reportedly got his supply of marijuana.

The BJMP jail is inside Camp Tomas Pepito, the headquarters of the Angeles City police. With an area of 804 square meters, the BJMP jail hosts 1,868 inmates, making it the fifth most congested jail in the country. —TONETTE OREJAS