Cop faces sedition raps for post vs Marcos Jr, PNP

MANILA, Philippines —  Think before you click.

A policeman learned this lesson the hard way, as he now faces a criminal case for publicly demonizing President Marcos amid the arrest and turnover of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The Quezon City Police District announced on Monday that it has filed a complaint before the office of the city prosecutor against a QCPD member, Pat. Francis Steve Fontillas, for violating Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code, or inciting to sedition, in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Hours before the QCPD made the announcement, Fontillas continued his online tirade against Marcos and even issued threatening remarks on the life of the President.

“Even though you are the President of the Philippines, even if you are the richest person in the world, you cannot trample on my dignity as a person,” Fontillas declared.

In taking a decisive action against Fontillas, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the patrolman made unauthorized and politically charged social media posts about Duterte’s arrest, actions which violated 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.

Even if Marcos is the commander-in-chief of the 235,000-strong PNP, Fontillas said he is not obligated to follow the President’s orders.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Fontillas entered the police service in 2021, and right away his superiors noticed something was off due to his erratic behavior.

Fajardo said Fontillas was short-tempered and had mood swings, which prompted him to undergo a neuro-psychiatric evaluation.

“After taking medication, he was allowed to report for duty,” Fajardo told reporters in a phone interview.

However, Fontillas again exhibited disturbing behavior after Duterte’s arrest on March 11.

Fajardo said Fontillas even ignored orders from the QCPD to return to work. Police records show Fontillas was placed on floating status by the QCPD last Feb. 20 and has been absent without official leave ªAWOL‚ since March 6.

“If these things that he did would qualify under the summary dismissal proceedings, then we expect that he will be dismissed from the service within 30 days,” Fajardo said.

The National Police Commission also took notice of Fontillas’ behavior as it began its own probe.

Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Fontillas violated the primer on personnel decorum and code of ethics of the PNP for using social media for partisan political activity.

“Worst, his posts are clearly malicious and criminal in nature as they are already inciting to sedition,” Calinisan said in a statement.

Navy reaffirms loyalty

Meanwhile, the chief of the Philippine Navy emphasized yesterday that the Navy remains a professional organization that adheres to the chain of command and loyalty to the Constitution.

Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta said the Philippine Navy is keenly aware of emerging challenges such as cybersecurity threats, foreign malign influence and the weaponization of information.

To counter disinformation and misinformation, the PN is innovating in strategic communication and strengthening its cybersecurity capabilities to ensure that it remains resilient in the digital age.

“Overall, the Philippine Navy stands in solidarity with the entire Armed Forces of the Philippines, united under the banner of one AFP, one Philippines, strong AFP, strong Philippines,” he said.

The Navy’s commitment to protecting the Philippines’ maritime interests, he said, remains steadfast, noting that it is resolute in its mission to safeguard the country’s maritime borders and assert its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

“Echoing the firm resolve of our commander-in-chief, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we will continue to defend every inch of our sovereign territory,” he said.

The Philippine Fleet successfully carried out on March 10 the first Philippine Fleet unilateral exercise with the BRP Jose Rizal, FF150 and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, PS-16, BRP Tarlac and LD-601, and the offshore patrol vessels.

The unilateral exercise showcased the Philippine Fleet’s commitment to maintain top-tier readiness in any environment as they overcome rough seas.

He announced the upcoming live-fire exercises involving the Spike Non-Light-of-Sight or NLOS, the missile system aboard the PN ships’ two Acero-class Fast Attack Interdiction Crafts, or FAICs, the PG-908 and PG-909, on April 21 in Mariveles, Bataan.

“This live-firing or this live-missile firing represents a significant advancement in our operational capabilities and mark a step in redefining, or refining, shaping a realistic and combat-ready military doctrines,” Ezpeleta said.

The PN will participate in the Balikatan exercises next month with a key opportunity to collaborate with allied forces in an exercise that will include multilateral maritime exercises, wherein the PN will be part of the maritime strike component.

The PN will launch the C-STAR surface-to-surface, the Spike NLOS and the Mistral surface-to-air missiles from Navy assets. - Pia Lee-Brago