Mark Anthony: I only smoke marijuana to prevent cancer

Actor Mark Anthony Fernandez on Tuesday claimed that he only used marijuana to avoid contracting cancer, the illness that killed his father Rudy Fernandez.

In a report by Victoria Tulad in 24 Oras, Fernandez said he used the drug for medical purposes despite it being illegal in the Philippines.

"Alam ko po nalelegalize siya sa halos buong mundo na ata, tapos medical purposes siya," Fernandez said.

"Lalo po nung lumabas yung sa mga sigarilo, may picture, kinakabahan po ako magka-cancer, dahil nagka-cancer po yung tatay ko. Ginagamit ko po to para pangontra cancer," he added.

Asked if he had any illnesses, Fernandez said he has always suffered from arthritis.

He also admitted that he used to smoke, but he lessened his smoking and consumed marijuana instead.

"Meron po akong rayuma bata pa lang ako, tapos nagyoyosi din po ako dati. So binabawasan ko po yung sigarilyo, yun po yung ginagawa kong pamalit," Fernandez said.

The 37-year-old actor was arrested on Monday night at a checkpoint in Angeles City, Pampanga.

A kilo of marijuana was discovered on the passenger seat of his car. Rolls of marijuana were also found on the driver's seat.

Planted marijuana

While he admitted that he had been carrying a small amount of the drug that night, Fernandez insisted that the kilo worth of marijuana discovered at the passenger seat of his car was merely planted by one of the officers that stopped him at the checkpoint.

"Konti lang po yung dala ko nun tapos biglang may naglagay ng isang kilo sa kotse ko nung tumigil ako...Isa po sa humuli sa kin," Fernandez said in a separate report by Jun Veneracion.

Police, meanwhile, maintained that the operation was legal, and that they did not expect to capture Fernandez that night.

Fernandez was stopped at the checkpoint because his sports car had no license plate, according to authorities.

When they spotted the sack of drugs, Fernandez drove away, prompting them to chase him and shoot at his tires to halt the car.

"Akala ko po since marijuana lang po yun, at hindi naman po nagbebenta, kung baga baka pakawalan ako," Fernandez said.

Fernandez may face lifetime imprisonment for transportation of illegal drugs.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed cases for violation of possession of illegal drugs and paraphernalia, and use of dangerous drugs.

"He should face his case, it's non-bailable so definitely he will rot in jail for the rest of his life," said PC/Supt. Aaron Aquino. —Jessica Bartolome/JST, GMA News