Cheyenne Suarez

'Crying and extremely apologetic': Viral cop to be placed under restrictive custody

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED) — Controversial patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas is set to be placed under restrictive custody after his social media posts criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte went viral, the National Police Commission said Friday. Napolcom Commissioner Rafael Vicente Calinisan said Fontillas was “crying and extremely apologetic” after reporting to the Quezon City Police District headquarters Thursday.“Fontillas also promised not to post seditious comments and hate speech on his social media pages. He is currently being processed, and will be placed in restrictive custody,” Calinisan said in a statement.He added Napolcom and the Philippine National Police will continue to pursue the criminal and administrative cases against Fontillas, adding that &quot;his fitness to remain in the police service is what is at stake.&quot;In a separate statement, the QCPD said Fontillas reported to its headquarters at 11 a.m. on Thursday and &quot;submitted his explanations regarding his actions and absences. &quot;He will go through a medical and neuro-psychiatric examination &quot;as part of the requirements for Return to Active Duty,&quot; QCPD also said. &quot;Patrolman Fontillas expressed his sincere apology and deep regret for his actions when he reported to the Acting District Director, QCPD. He assured that he has learned from this experience and vowed not to repeat such behavior,&quot; it said.Fontillas earlier told ABS-CBN News he will not resign after being charged with inciting to sedition under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/19/content-creator-cop-refuses-to-resign-denies-calling-for-gov-t-overthrow-1243" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Content creator cop refuses to resign, denies calling for gov&#x27;t overthrow</a></div>“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 police officers left. So, I will not resign)He argued that his remarks do not constitute inciting to sedition and denied posting anything that called for the government’s overthrow.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/20/napolcom-mandates-annual-neuropsychiatric-tests-for-cops-2226" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Napolcom mandates annual neuropsychiatric tests for cops amid patrolman’s outburst</a></div>Fontillas has threatened the International Criminal Court and Interpol, saying he would bring &quot;war&quot; against them if they tried to &quot;lay [a] finger” on former President Duterte.Calinisan said Fontillas is an isolated case and does not represent the 225,000-strong PNP.“Hindi dapat ma-drag ‘yong buong institusyon ng Philippine National Police dahil lang sa iisang tao at itong iisang tao na ito ay may sakit at may medical condition,” he said. “Kakaiba siya, kailangan niya ng tulong, hindi siya fit to become a policeman.” (The entire institution of the Philippine National Police should not be dragged down because of one person, and this person has an illness and a medical condition. He is different, he needs help, and he is not fit to be a policeman.)

Controversial patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas is set to be placed under restrictive custody after his social media posts criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte went viral, the National Police Commission said Friday.

Controversial patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas is set to be placed under restrictive custody after his social media posts criticizing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte went viral, the National Police Commission said Friday.