A police vlogger is facing charges of sedition and cyber crime before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday for posting on social media his personal comments about the recent arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) filed a formal complaint against Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas for allegedly violating Article 142 (Inciting to Sedition) under the Revised Penal Code in relation to Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
Fontillas has been assigned to the District Personnel Holding and Accounting Section of the QCPD in Camp Karingal since Feb. 20. He has been absent since March 6 without an official leave.
Some of his posts on Fonts Stv Vlogs through his Facebook account include partisan comments such as: “I am telling the truth. The war on drugs was not just for the purpose of killing. War on drugs was designed to eliminate criminals to prevent worse killings and murders by criminals.”
Fontanillas also claimed that former President Duterte is “the only president that Filipino(s) love so much,” adding that incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. doesn’t get the same respect from the people compared to his predecessor.
QCPD director Melecio Buslig called on his entire police force to stay non-partisan. He 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 contents in social media and other communication platforms,” Buslig said in a statement.