The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed charges on Monday, March 17, against a police officer for posting videos and speaking against the Marcos administration.
According to the QCPD, they filed a complaint against Patrolman Francis Steve Tallion Fontillas for violating Article 142 (Inciting to Sedition) of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012) before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office.
Fontillas has posted multiple videos on social media criticizing the current administration, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, and calling out Philippine National Police (PNP) officials.
According to the records from the District Personnel Records and Management Division (DPRMD), Fontillas has been assigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section (DPHAS) since February 20, 2025.
Fontillas has been absent without official leave (AWOL) since March 6, 2025.
In his posts on his Fonts Stv Vlogs account, Fontillas did not only lash out at President Marcos and PNP top officials, particularly Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, but also threatened the International Criminal Court (ICC).
ADMIN CHARGES
The National Police Commission (Napolcom) ordered the filing of administrative charges against Fontillas which could lead to his dismissal from the service.
Napolcom commissioner Rafael Vicente R. Calinisan explained that what Fontillas did was in violation of the Primer on Personnel Decorum and the Code of Ethics of the PNP and other PNP rules for using social media for partisan political activity.
Calinisan said Fontillas posts are clearly malicious and criminal in nature as it already falls under inciting to sedition.
He explained that while 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.
“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,” said Calinasan.
“They are not meant to take political sides. Heavy sanctions await those who would violate election laws, civil service rules, Napolcom and PNP policies and other administrative guidelines,” he added.
In a statement, the QCPD said all policemen must 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 contents in social media and other communication platforms,” it said.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo explained that the creation of the PNP in 1990 comes with the policies and guidelines that cover sentiments and complaints of its members.
Aside from the RA 6713, or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees”, Fajardo said there are several memoranda and policies that were crafted when social media became popular.
The memoranda and other policies were crafted after some PNP personnel were monitored to have been using their social media accounts to air their grievances and even political views.
Fajardo said the grievance mechanism ensures due process and assurance that the concerns raised by the PNP members are heard and addressed. (Allysa Nievera, Aaron Recuenco)
