Viral vlogger cop Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas. Screenshot from Francis Steve Fontillas' Facebook live.MANILA — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Tuesday the arrest of controversial vlogger Francis Steve Fontillas, a dismissed police patrolman who went viral for his social media posts criticizing the government and the police leadership, should serve as a lesson to other officers who also create online content.

Ex-cop vlogger Fontillas arrested over sedition charge

NCRPO Spokesperson PMaj. Hazel Asilo said in a DZMM interview they already have a list of vlogger cops.

"Bilang nasa serbisyo, kailangan sumunod ka pa rin sa rules and regulations natin. Kung halimbawa mayroon kang nararamdaman o may hinaing kang gusto ilabas, kailangan naaayon din 'yon sa kung aanong patakaran ang sinusunod namin sa [Philippine National Police]," she said.

"Maging aral sana ito sa mga kasamahan namin sa serbisyo na sa ngayon ay nagva-vlog na ilugar nila kung ano ang kanilang ilalabas," she added.

She said the PNP is now monitoring police officers who are also vlogging.

"Mayroon na po kasi kaming listahan kung sino pa 'yung mga content creators o mga vloggers po na nasa loob ng PNP. Sila po 'yung ating minomonitor kung tama 'yung kanilang mga nilalabas na mga content at naayon sa patakaran na nilabas ng PNP," Asilo said.

Nonetheless, she clarified that cops are not required to seek certification before they can publish content.

They only need to follow PNP's rules and regulations, while also refraining from donning their uniform when creating their content.

The tighter watch over vlogger cops came after the 31-year-old patrolman was arrested Monday in his house in Commonwealth.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 224 served him his warrant of arrest for inciting to sedition charges, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Viral vlogger-cop dismissed from police service, perpetually disqualified from public service

The issue stemmed from Fontillas' viral posts, such as a supposed warning to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the Interpol following former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest over the alleged extra-judicial killings during his war on drugs.

He also derided President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying he would not follow a leader who gives him what he called a "wrong order".

He added that he could arrest Marcos once the latter is no longer in office.

"Kumbaga ginamit niya kasi ang pagiging vlogger niya sa paglabas ng mga hinaing na kung saan hindi dapat, dahil doon sa ginawa niya, suot pa rin niya ang uniform namin. Hindi naging maganda implikasyon no'n na parang may sarili siyang command kasi hindi siya sumusunod sa regulation," Asilo explained.

She said Fontillas arrest on Monday, 4 p.m., was peaceful as the patrolman acknowledged the warrant.

"Naging maayos naman po ang kaniyang pagsuko, kasi sinerve naman sa kaniya, sinabi naman 'yung reason sa paga-aresto. Bilang dating pulis, alam naman niya ang proseso kapag pinagsisilbihan ng warrant," she stressed.

Asilo emphasized the arrest shows a police officer can still be held liable for violations despite being resigned, dismissed or relieved from post.

PNP files complaint vs vlogger over alleged ‘fake news’ on Duterte raid

"Pinapakita na kahit dati kang pulis, kahit sabihin ikaw ay nag-resign, kung mayroon ka pa ring hinaharap sa kaso, ise-serve pa rin sa 'yo 'yan at kailangan mo pa rin harapin 'yan kahit na dati kang pulis. Regardless kung dati mong mga kasamahan ang magse-serve sa 'yo ng warrant, kailangan mo sumama sa kanila nang maayos bilang pagsunod na rin sa ating batas," she added.

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