Cop faces sedition rap for social media posts on Duterte’s arrest

The Quezon City Police District has charged one of its officers for his social media posts in the aftermath of the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte. —SCREEN GRAB FROM ICC

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed an inciting to sedition complaint against one of its officers for his social media posts in the aftermath of the arrest of President Rodrigo Duterte.

During Duterte’s arrest on March 11, Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas posted on social media: “To ICC (International Criminal Court) 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!”

The post has since been deleted.

Further, Fontillas responded to another social media user’s comment, saying “We don’t need to resign, sir. We can use our power to overthrow the government kung may (if there’s) enough grounds to overthrow.”

In a statement on Monday, the QCPD said it filed a complaint against Fontillas before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violating Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“PNP (Philippine National Police) officers shall remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times and we must refrain from posting unauthorized and biased content on social media and other communication platforms,” the QCPD said in its statement.

When asked for comment, Fontillas told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Tuesday, “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?”

READ: Cop under probe for social media posts on Duterte’s ICC arrest

According to the QCPD, Fontillas was assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section but had been absent without official leave since early March.

In another social media post, Fontillas maintained that he was on official leave.

However, in a phone interview with reporters on Tuesday, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said Fontillas’ application for a medical leave of absence was disapproved after he was unable to present a medical certificate to justify the leave.

Fajardo added that Fontillas has a history of “erratic behavior.”

For its part, the National Police Commission (Napolcom) Commissioner Ralph Calinisan ordered an investigation into Fontillas’ social media posts and the filing of administrative charges against the patrolman.

READ: Spike in hate content seen after Duterte arrest

Duterte’s arrest triggered an uproar of support on social media from the former president’s supporters, demanding his release and repatriation from the ICC custodial facility in The Hague, Netherlands.

The ex-leader made his first appearance before the international tribunal last Friday.

He is facing charges of crimes against humanity in connection with his administration’s bloody war on drugs that left thousands dead.