Marijuana was in plain view inside Mark Anthony’s car —PNP

Angeles City police didn't expect they would be arresting actor Mark Anthony Fernandez when he passed through one of their checkpoints on Monday.

Superintendent Aaron Aquino said police saw marijuana inside the 37-year-old actor's car in plain view.

"It was only a chance during that time that we were able to arrest him," Aquino said.

The son of the late actor Rudy Fernandez and actress Alma Moreno was nabbed for possession of approximately a kilo marijuana at a checkpoint in Angeles City, Pampanga on Monday.

He later tested positive for marijuana.

Cases will be filed against Fernandez for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, or simple disobedience on operation of chekpoints, and Sections 5, 11, and 12 of Article 2 of R.A. 1965.

"There's no such thing that this marijuana was planted. First and foremost there is no reason...para iplant itong marijuana sa kanya," said Police Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino during a press conference in San Fernando City, Pampanga.

The 37-year-old actor had insisted that someone had merely placed a kilo of marijuana in his car.

But Aquino revealed that Fernandez has a history of drug use.

"There's already a history of Mr. Fernandez's use of drugs. In fact he's been going in and out of rehabilitation," he said.

However, Fernandez did not appear in the Angeles City police's watch list because he does not reside in the region.

Aquino had already inquired the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) if he was in their list. —Jessica Bartolome/NB, GMA News