SUSPECTED drug lord Alvaro “Barok” Alvaro pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal gun possession and of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Alvaro maintained his innocence during his arraignment before Judge Jerry Dicdican of the Regional Trial Court Branch 25 in Danao City yesterday.

Jail guards from the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center secured the court premises during the court proceedings.

In a TV 5 interview, Jail warden Romeo Mansala admitted there is a threat to Alvaro’s life.

Alvaro, the trusted man of slain alleged drug lord Jeffrey “Jaguar” Diaz, surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Bohol last June 21.

A team of policemen from Cebu tried to arrest Alvaro last month in Las Piñas, when they got into a shootout instead.

That shootout killed Diaz and his bodyguard. Alvaro escaped and surrendered to the NBI four days later. 

Prosecutor Ferdinand Collantes charged Alvaro with violation of the anti-illegal drugs law after he was arrested with 16.74 grams of suspected shabu in Barangay Catmon-Daan, Catmon, Cebu last April 10, 2015. 

Alvaro is also facing case for illegal gun possession in the same court.