QCPD cop faces seditious raps, PNP keeps non-partisan stance
With Joel dela Torre
THE Philippine National Police on Tuesday reiterated its non-partisan stance in the country as it formally filed criminal charges for inciting to sedition against an AWOL Quezon City policeman who went to social media to denounce the arrest of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
According to PNP Public Information Office chief, Colonel Randulf T. Tuaño, the PNP has taken decisive action against Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas to uphold its integrity and neutrality.
The Q.C. Police District on Monday filed charges for inciting to sedition under Article 142 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 against Fontillas before the Q.C. Prosecutor’s Office.
National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) Commissioner Rafael Vincent Calinisan ordered Napolcom’s Inspection, Monitoring and Investigation Service (IMIS) to file, if needed, administrative charges against Fontillas.
The charges were filed following Fontillas’ unauthorized and politically charged social media posts in response to reports of the former president’s arrest.
The QCPD District Personnel Records and Management Division said that Pat. Fontillas has been assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section since February 20 this year. However, he has been tagged as Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) since last March 6.
PNP chief, General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil reaffirmed the organization’s strict adherence to neutrality in the wake of the filing of charges against the cop.
“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. We will never allow partisan influence to erode public trust in the PNP,” he said.
Col. Tuaño assured the public that the Fontillas case would be pursued with full transparency and due process, reinforcing the PNP’s commitment to serving with integrity and impartiality.
“The PNP underscores its zero tolerance for political bias among its ranks. All personnel are reminded to remain apolitical and uphold the highest ethical standards, both in their official duties and in their personal conduct, including their presence on social media,” Gen. Marbil added.
“Heavy sanctions await those who would violate election laws, civil service rules, NAPOLCOM and PNP policies and other administrative guidelines,” part of Calinisan’s statement said.
The QCPD under the leadership of Acting Director Colonel Buslig Jr., reminded all personnel to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and discipline.
“PNP officers shall remain apolitical and non-partisan at all times and we must refrain from posting unauthorized and biased content in social media and other communication platforms,” the QCPD statement reads.
On the part of the NAPOLCOM, Calinisan said that Fontillas has used his social media platform for partisan political activity in violation of the Primer on Personnel Decorum and the Code of Ethics of the PNP, among others.
