Mark Fernandez pleads not guilty to drug raps

ANGELES CITY, Philippines – Movie actor Mark Anthony Fernandez reportedly pleaded not guilty to charges of possession of illegal drugs during his arraignment here yesterday.

The Hall of Justice was declared off-limits to media as security personnel guarded the main entry.

A bus of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology that brought Fernandez here dropped him off at the back door.

The arraignment  of Fernandez was twice postponed after government prosecutors filed a motion seeking to include a “grinder” for marijuana on the list of items recovered from the actor. He was arrested on Oct. 3 after over 500 grams of dried marijuana were found in his car.

Fernandez has yet to be arraigned for resistance and disobedience to authorities after he allegedly tried to flee after police found the illegal drugs.

He is being held at the provincial jail in San Fernando.