THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed a case of inciting to sedition against one of its policemen who said on social media he is not going to follow orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The complaint against Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas was lodged before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office on Monday, the QCPD said in a statement on Monday night.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the filing of the charge serves as warning to all policemen against making similar statements.
“The PNP is a pillar of law and order, not a platform for personal or political agenda,” said Marbil.
“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,” he added.
Fontillas is assigned with the District Personnel Holding Admin Section of the QCPD but has gone on absence without official leave, or AWOL, since March 6, the QCPD said.
The filing, the QCPD also said, “stems from his social media posts following reports of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s arrest.”
Duterte was arrested on March 11 on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. He is detained at the ICC headquarters in Netherlands.
Fontillas, in a video that spread on Facebook, said he is not going to follow illegal orders from anyone, even from President Marcos, even if this would mean his dismissal from the service. He also said his real boss is the Filipino people because his salary comes from them.
Fontillas, in police uniform, took the video in his car while driving.
In the middle part of the video, Fontillas criticized Marcos.
“I am a policeman of the Philippines but I do not agree with what you are doing, sir … Whatever you say sir, I am not going to follow you because I am not your policeman,” Fontillas in Filipino.
“It’s the Filipinos who are actually paying for my salary, not you. You are just the president of the Philippines. Even you, you are getting your salary from the money of Filipinos,” he added.
‘POLITICALLY CHARGED’
In a statement issued by Public Information Office chief Col. Randul Tuaño, the PNP said it took “decisive action to uphold its integrity and neutrality” by filing the case against Fontillas.
“This development follows Fontillas’ unauthorized and politically charged social media posts in response to reports of the former president’s arrest,” the PNP said.
The PNP said it has “zero tolerance for political bias among its ranks.”
“All personnel are reminded to remain apolitical and uphold the highest ethical standards, both in their official duties and in their personal conduct, including their presence on social media,” it said.
The PNP said it will pursue the case “with full transparency and due process, reinforcing its commitment to serving with integrity and impartiality.”
‘FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION’
Through Facebook, Fontillas questioned the case filed by the QCPD against him.
“Inciting to sedition daw yung ginawa ko? Hahaha. Okay lang ba kayo? (They’re saying what I did was inciting to sedition? Hahaha. Are you okay?” he said.
“I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where’s our right to freedom of expression now?” he added.
He also said that defending Duterte, who he said is innocent, is not partisan.
Fontillas said it is Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III who is partisan for following Marcos’ “unlawful” order to arrest Duterte.
On why he did not resign, Fontillas said the PNP will be left without a sane and brave policeman who can fight for what is right.
MEDICAL LEAVE
On the PNP claim that he has been marked AWOL since March 6, Fontillas said he filed for leave from March 6 to 19, and it was approved by “Chief Admin,” referring to the administrative officer of the QCPD.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Fontillas filed for medical leave from March 6 to 19 but, she said, this was not approved because of Fontillas’ failure to submit a medical certificate “to justify his request for medical leave.”
“After that, he failed to report, that’s why he was marked AWOL,” she said.
Fajardo said Fontillas underwent a neuro psychiatric examination yesterday on orders of the National Capital Region Police Office. She said Fontillas has a history of “mood swings,” adding the policeman had medication to address the issue.
If Fontillas fails the neuro psychiatric test, Fajardo said, “we can use this as a ground to discharge him from the service.”
Asked if Fontillas is in police custody, Fajardo said: “No. If you are referring to physical custody, no because he refused to report (to the QCPD).”
Fajardo said this was not the first time Fontillas criticized government and the PNP leadership.
Fajardo said Fontillas will also be facing administrative investigation for violation of PNP guidelines on the use of social media.
