Viral QCPD cop returns to work, to be placed under restrictive custody
The police officer who publicly criticized both President Marcos Jr. and the arrest of Rodrigo Duterte has returned to duty and will be placed under restrictive custody, according to the National Police Commission.
NAPOLCOM Commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan in a statement said Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas reported to the Quezon City Police District office on Thursday, March 20, and was "crying and extremely apologetic."
"Fontillas also promised not to post seditious comments and hate speech on his social media pages," Calinisan said.
Calinisan said Fontillas is being processed and will be placed under restrictive custody. He will also face ongoing criminal and administrative cases from the NAPOLCOM and the Philippine National Police, who have stated that "his fitness to remain in the police service is what is at stake."
Meanwhile, the QCPD said that Fontillas has "submitted his explanations regarding his actions and absences." Fontillas will be going through a medical and neuropsychiatric examination as part of the requirements for Return to Active Duty.
"Patrolman Fontillas expressed his sincere apology and deep regret for his actions when he reported to the Acting District Director, QCPD. He assured that he has learned from this experience and vowed not to repeat such behavior," it said.
Calinisan reported that Fontilla has not yet filed a formal reply despite saying he will respond to the charges.
On his Facebook page, Font Stv Vlogs, Fontillas slammed Marcos and top police officials, including 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 the 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.
Earlier this week, Calinisan ordered that Fontillas be investigated and administrative charges filed, saying that his posts are "clearly malicious and criminal in nature."
"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.
