NEWSFLASH

---

ANGELU SIDES WITH JOKO VS. MOM

Manila, Dec. 26, 1997 - Actor Joko Diaz almost spent Christmas Eve in jail, but girlfriend Angelu de Leon saved him by denying that he threatened her mother with a gun.

Angelu's mother Flora de Leon complained to San Juan police that Joko allegedly poked a gun at her after she refused to let her daughter out on a date with the actor.

Joko denied the charge, and told the cops it was Mrs. de Leon who "kicked, slapped and hit him with a bundle of keys" when he went to the de Leon's unit at Eisenhower Tower at 3 a.m.

"Hindi ko siya tinutukan. Iniwan ko ang baril sa kotse at pagbalik ko ay hawak na niya and baril ko," said the actor, who's the son of veteran actor Paquito Diaz.

During interrogation at police headquarters, Angelu denied her mother's accusations and upheld Joko's statements. Joko was released after he presented to police the legal documents and permits covering his gun.

---