QC fiscal sets bail for Francis M

Arrested musician and TV host Francis Magalona denied yesterday any involvement with drugs, and accused police of trying to keep him in jail longer than he should.

Magalona, who was arrested by Quezon City police with his friend Alfredo Delos Reyes Monday night for allegedly smoking marijuana inside his vehicle, said that he never had any drugs in his possession.

In an interview, the rap artist claimed he was just talking to Delos Reyes, trying to help him get a job.

He added that the police might be deliberately delaying filing charges against him because he is "a celebrity."

"Instead of speeding up the process, they detained me here for two days. I could have posted bail as early as yesterday," Magalona told The STAR.

Charges of violation of Section 8, Article 2, RA 6425 or illegal possession of prohibited drugs, however, were already filed with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office. Elmo Alameda, inquest chief prosecutor, recommended bail at P60,000.

The rapper and Delos Reyes were arrested by police following a high-speed chase in Quezon City, after the two were allegedly caught smoking marijuana inside Magalona’s black Honda Civic car (WJM-853).

Reports showed that Magalona’s vehicle was parked on Fourth St. and Doña Hemady in New Manila at about 5:50 p.m., when PO3 James Bautista and PO1 Miguel Cordero were on board their patrol car conducting a routine check of the area.

They spotted the vehicle parked along the side of the road, and when they stopped to check, they allegedly saw the two suspects smoking marijuana. Magalona reportedly sped-off after seeing the cops, triggering a chase which took them to E. Rodriguez Boulevard.

Despite several signals and warnings for Magalona to pullover, the rapper ignored them and even bumped the police car after it caught up with them.

This prompted the policemen to fire several shots at a tire of the suspect’s car. The two were arrested at Sta. Cecilia St. where police seized from them an improvised tooter, two sticks of marijuana, and dried marijuana leaves. – With Matthew Estabillo