QCPD cop faces sedition raps over posts on Duterte arrest
A Quezon City Police Department cop is facing an inciting to sedition charge over his social media posts on the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The QCPD on Monday filed a complaint against Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas before the QC Prosecutor's Office for violating Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
On his Facebook page Font Stv Vlogs, Fontillas slammed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and top police officials Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, and PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo over Duterte's ICC arrest.
He also criticized PNP's statement on how the police shall remain apolitical and non-partisan.
"Inciting to sedition daw yung ginawa ko? Hahaha. Okay lang ba kayo? I only expressed my stand and my principles. Where's our right to freedom of expression now? Kawawa naman ang Pilipinas. Hahaha," Fontillas wrote in his March 16 post.
"Sige, file the case now. Sa korte na lang tayo magkaalaman," he added in a separate post.
According to records from the District Personnel Records and Management Division, Fontillas has been assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section since Feb. 20 but has been absent without official leave since March 6.
For his part, the patrolman posted a copy of his application for leave showing that he filed for a 10-day leave from March 6 to 19, which was approved and signed by their chief administrator.
'Clearly malicious and criminal in nature'
PNP chief Marbil said that Fontillas made "unauthorized and politically charged" social media posts about Duterte’s arrest, which violates the PNP's strict adherence to neutrality.
“The PNP is a pillar of law and order, not a platform for personal or political agendas. 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,” Marbil said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Fajardo noted that the patrolman has a history of disturbing behavior, which includes having a short temper and mood swings. She added that the NCRPO is now looking at placing Fontillas under "restrictive custody."
National Police Commission Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan also ordered to probe and file administrative charges against Fontillas, saying that his posts are "clearly malicious and criminal in nature."
"While admittedly, PNP personnel have rights to freedom of expression as guaranteed in our Constitution, these rights are limited by their obligation to maintain neutrality and avoid actions that could compromise public trust and undermine the public's perception of their impartiality,” Calinisan said in a separate statement.
“I repeat, the uniformed service must be forever apolitical. The PNP's primary function is to ensure public safety, enforce the law, and serve and protect the people. They are not meant to take political sides,” he added.
According to the PNP Ethical doctrine, police members must be non-partisan and "provide services to everyone without discrimination regardless of party affiliation." (with reports from Emmanuel Tupas)
