International Criminal Court (L) and Former President Rodrigo Duterte (ICC and official Facebook page of Rody Duterte)
MANILA, Philippines — The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has been ordered to investigate and file administrative charges against a patrolman over his social media posts regarding former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) previously reiterated its nonpartisan stance in a press briefing on Wednesday, amid an outpouring of support for the former president on social media following his arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“I have ordered the Napolcom… to immediately investigate and file administrative charges against Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas, a member of the QCPD (Quezon City Police District),” Napolcom Commissioner Ralph Calinisan said in a statement on Tuesday.
“He has used his social media for partisan political activity, in violation of the Primer on Personnel Decorum and the Code of Ethics of the PNP, among others. Worst, his posts are clearly malicious and criminal in nature as they are already inciting to sedition,” Calinisan added.
READ: Duterte supporters spam ICC judge’s socmed; it may backfire – lawyer
In a now-deleted post originally uploaded on March 11, Fontillas said, “To ICC and Interpol (International Criminal Police Organization), don’t even lay your finger on our Tatay Digong or else we will start the war that you can’t even imagine. This is not a warning; this is a threat!”
In a separate statement on Monday, the QCPD said it was filing a complaint against Fontillas before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for inciting sedition concerning the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The QCPD further said its District Personnel Records and Management Division said Fontillas was assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section since February 20 but has been absent without official leave since March 6.
READ: PNP warns of ‘bogus’ accounts of cops quitting after Duterte arrest
However, in a Facebook post on Tuesday early morning, Fontillas said he had filed a leave of absence from March 6 to 19, which was supposedly approved by his supervisor.
When asked for comment, Fontillas told INQUIRER.net in a text message, “That’s unlawful. I only exercised my right to freedom of expression. Then I’ll be charged with that? Is that how the Philippines’ justice system works now?”
However, Calinisan maintained, “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.”
Highlights: Rodrigo Duterte’s ICC pre-trial
Duterte was arrested on March 11 and brought to The Hague, Netherlands, through an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody war on drugs.
The former president made his first appearance at the international tribunal’s pretrial chamber last Friday.
His confirmation of charges hearing was set for September 23, 2025.