Francis Fontillas, a police officer who gained online attention for criticizing the government in a vlog following former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest, has been taken into custody by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) for incitement to sedition.
The NCRPO reported that Fontillas was apprehended around 4 p.m. on Monday along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. His arrest was based on a warrant issued by Branch 224 of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. NCRPO spokesperson Police Major Hazel Asilo confirmed that the case is now under the jurisdiction of the courts, not the police.
Fontillas’ bail was set at ₱36,000.
The sedition charges stem from a Facebook video posted by Fontillas on March 18, where he condemned Duterte’s arrest and asserted that his comments were a form of free speech. “Inciting to sedition? I only expressed my stand and principles. What happened to our freedom of expression?” he wrote.
Fontillas was previously dismissed from the police force on May 8, 2025, due to grave misconduct. The Philippine National Police reiterated its stance on remaining politically neutral and warned officers against posting politically charged content online.