Pro-Du30 cop faces sedition raps, mocks QCPD complaint
An active member of the Philippine National Police is facing a sedition complaint over his “unauthorized and politically charged” social media posts questioning the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Quezon City policeman, however, showed defiance in his latest post and even laughed at the complaint filed by his superiors.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday said it had filed a complaint for inciting to sedition against Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas.
The complaint cited him for violation of Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 or Republic Act No. 10175.
“The QCPD reminds all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and discipline,” the district command said in a statement.
Duterte was arrested by the PNP last week at the request of Interpol to enforce a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC has since taken custody of the ex-president in The Hague, the Netherlands, where he faces trial for crimes against humanity over the thousands killed in his so-called drug war.
In a series of posts right on the day of the arrest, Fontillas railed at the Interpol and ICC in defense of the 79-year-old Duterte.
One of the posts read: “To ICC and Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization), don’t even lay your finger on our Tatay (father) Digong or else we will start the war that you can’t even imagine. This is not a warning; this is a threat!”
The post has since been deleted.
Fontillas, who was assigned to the QCPD’s personnel and holding administation section on Feb. 20, had gone “absent without official leave” since March 6, the QCPD said.
On Tuesday, however, Fontillas remained active on Facebook, even mocking the complaint.
“You’re saying what I did was inciting to sedition? Hahaha. Are you all okay? I just expressed my stance and principles. Where’s our right to freedom of expression now? Poor Philippines. Hahaha,” he wrote.
He also denied being Awol, saying he filed for a leave of absence from March 6 to 19 and that it was approved by his superior.
National Police Commission chief Ralph Calinisan said he had ordered an investigation of Fontillas for possible administrative charges.
“He has used his social media for partisan political activity, in violation of the Primer on Personnel Decorum and the Code of Ethics of the PNP, among others. Worst, his posts are clearly malicious and criminal in nature as they are already inciting to sedition,” Calinisan said.
The PNP, in a separate statement, said it would maintain “zero tolerance for political bias” among its ranks.
“Let this serve as a warning—any police officer who undermines our core values of integrity, service, and professionalism will face the full force of the law. We will never allow partisan influence to erode public trust in the PNP,” the statement quoted PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil as saying.
