THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has lodged five administrative cases against a policemen who it earlier charged with inciting to sedition for airing “political charged” messages on social media, including a declaration he would not follow illegal orders from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This developed as the Philippine Army told soldiers to first resign from the service if they want to publicly express political views amid noise arising from the arrest of former President Duterte for crimes against humanity.
Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said soldiers are not allowed to publicly air political views while in the active service, noting the Philippine Army is a non-partisan institution.
The QCPD yesterday said four of the administrative charges filed against Fontillas were grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and two counts of less grave neglect of duty. These have been referred to the National Police Commission.
The fifth — less grave neglect of duty – has been referred to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
The QCPD announced the filing of the administrative charges two days after it filed a complaint of inciting to sedition before the Quezon City Prosecutors Office.
“As the chief PNP has firmly stated, the PNP upholds law and order — not personal or political agendas. Any officer who violates our core values will face legal consequences,” said QCPD director Col. Melencio Buslig Jr.
“We enforce zero tolerance for political bias. All personnel must maintain professionalism in duty and personal conduct, including social use,” added Buslig.
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) said it is determining how Fontillas was accepted into the police service.
In a radio interview, Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Fontillas has a “psychiatric record” and he summoned PNP psychiatrists to his office last Tuesday as part of the ongoing investigation.
“We’re looking at how this guy was accepted in the police service in the first place … Why do we have a policeman like this,” Calinisan said in mixed English and Filipino.
“We discovered his medical records which were as early as 2012,” he added.
He said Fontillas entered the police service in 2021. He was assigned with the QCPD’s District Personnel and Holding Admin Section on February 20 and was marked absent without official leave on March 6.
“He has an illness, he has been seeking medication,” Calinisan said.
Citing initial information he gathered, Calinisan said the PNP learned about the illness in early 2023 and Fontillas was stripped of his firearm. In October 2023, Calinisan said, Fontillas returned to full duty status after he was declared “fit to work again.”
Recently, Fontillas’ superior officer of Fontillas noticed something was wrong with the policeman, and recommended a medical examination but the latter declined to be examined.
“He (Fontillas) later made posts (on social media) about various issues. The trigger was the arrest of the former president,” Calinisan said referring to the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte on March 11.
Calinisan said penalties for Fontillas’ offenses include dismissal from the service, demotion, and suspension.
“If the case is very solid, it can be dismissal,” he said.
On demotion, he said it may not apply as patrolman is the lowest rank in the PNP.
FOntillas continued to post messages on Facebook yesterday, pertaining to his earlier remarks which he said is not inciting to sedition.
In one of his posts, Fontillas said he will not resign from the service. He said he “remains as an active member of the PNP to fight for the truth and for the whole Filipino nation.”
In another post, Fontillas said he is neither anti-Marcos nor pro-Duterte.
SOLDIERS
Dema-ala said they have not monitored any active Army soldier publicly airing their political views, including on the social media.
Armed Forces public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the military has not issued any guidance restricting the freedom of expression of family members of soldiers.
Reports spread on social media that Armed Forces chief Gen. Romeo Brawner has reminded soldiers and their dependents to avoid commenting on social media regarding the “current political situation.” Brawner also supposedly said soldiers should just focus on performing their mission.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines has not issued any guidance restricting the freedom of expression of civilians, including the families of military personnel, on social media,” Trinidad said in a statement.
Trinidad said the recent visits of Brawner to military units “were focused on reinforcing the importance of professionalism, discipline, and mission focus among our personnel.”
Trinidad said “these internal engagements are vital for strengthening the AFP’s core values and operational effectiveness.”
“The AFP upholds the right to freedom of expression for all citizens. We encourage responsible online engagement and critical evaluation of information to mitigate the spread of disinformation,” he said.
