MANILA — The embattled patrolman who made controversial and politically-charged social media posts following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday he will not resign despite his views contradicting some government directives.

In a telephone interview with ABS-CBN News, Pat. Francis Steve Fontillas of the Quezon City Police District said he is ready to face an investigation and the inciting to sedition complaint filed against him under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

“Kung magre-resign ako, eh ‘di wala nang matinong pulis na matitira,” he said. “So, hindi ako magre-resign, sir.”

(If I resign, then there will be no good cops left. So, I won’t resign, sir.)

Patrolman faces inciting to sedition raps for anti-Marcos video

POLICE RULES ON COPS' USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

PNP Memorandum Circular 2020-034, which regulates the use of social media, acknowledges that freedom of speech is a guaranteed right but cites the Supreme Court decision in Davao City Water District v. Aranjuez but is "more regulated when one assumes the role of a public officer."

A more recent Memorandum Circular 2024-077, also on the use of social media says "PNP personnel are still bound by policies and must observe the ethics and ethical standards due to public servants" when vlogging.

Under that the guidelines of that circular, PNP personnel are supposed to, among other things, observe decorum, "avoid vulgar and unsavory words and humiliating acts" and "political/commercial advertisement, campaign, opinion, and endorsement."

RETURNING TO WORK   

Fontillas said he would return to work on Thursday after completing a two-week leave of absence that began on March 6.

He added that he has yet to receive a copy of the complaint and that no officials from his office have reached out to him regarding the matter.

The patrolman also reiterated his stance of adhering to the law rather than blindly following orders.

“Pulis ako pero hindi ako pulis ng kahit sino. Nagsisilbi ako sa bayan dahil ang pinaninindigan ko ay ‘yong batas,” he said.

(I am a policeman, but I don’t serve just anyone. I serve the country because I stand by the law.)

Although a civilian organization, the PNP uses military ranks and observes a chain of command distinct from other civilian agencies, PNP MC 2020-034 reads.

POLICEMAN DENIES CALLING FOR GOVERNMENT OVERTHROW

Fontillas argued that his remarks do not constitute inciting to sedition, saying he was merely expressing his opinions on Duterte’s arrest.

He also denied posting anything that called for the government’s overthrow.

“Hindi ako nanghihikayat ng rebelyon. Ano ‘yon? Pulis pa rin ako ng Pilipinas, sir. Ayokong magkagulo ang Pilipinas,” he said.

(I’m not encouraging rebellion. What do they mean? I’m still a policeman of the Philippines, sir. I don’t want the country to be in chaos.)

Fontillas clarified that his statements were directed at the International Criminal Court and Interpol, not the Philippine government, and that a screenshot of one of his posts was edited.

“Meron daw akong pinost tungkol sa pag-overthrow ng gobyerno. Alam mo sir, madali lang i-edit ‘yong post eh—ika-crop mo lang ‘yon, papalitan mo ‘yong laman ng talagang post,” he said.  “Anyone can fabricate anything online.”

(They claim I posted about overthrowing the government. You know, sir, it’s easy to edit posts—you just crop them and change the actual content.)

Pulis na nagpost umano ng pambabatikos sa Marcos administration, kinasuhan ng QCPD

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Fontillas joined the force in 2021 and went through treatment in 2023 after reportedly displaying “erratic behavior” and mood swings.

On February 20, he was reassigned to the District Personnel and Holding Admin Section of the QCPD.

Fontillas said he went to the National Capital Region Police Office Headquarters in Taguig City on Monday for a neuropsychiatric exam, but it did not push through.

“Suki na ako ng psychiatric exam na ‘yon eh, ilang beses na ako nag-take eh, so hindi na ako pinag-take. Nag-base na lang sila sa mga records ko do’n. Ibig sabihin, pasado pa rin,” he said.

(I’m already a regular when it comes to that psychiatric exam. I’ve taken it multiple times, so they didn’t make me take it again. They just based their assessment on my records there. That means I still passed.)