Quezon City vlogger cop Fontillas resigns

MANILA, Philippines — The police vlogger who is facing criminal and administrative cases for his online tirades against President Marcos over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte has resigned from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Friday night said Pat. Francis Steve Fontillas is no longer a PNP member effective April 10.

Fontillas filed an irrevocable resignation, which was approved by National Capital Region Police Office director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin.

The QCPD issued the statement after it received concerns from the public about Fontillas’ continuous attacks on the PNP.

His latest post involves a shared video about a supposed scuffle between anti-riot police officers and activists on Labor Day last Thursday.

“He no longer holds any position or affiliation with the PNP. Whatever views or opinions he now expresses as a private citizen do not, in any way, represent or affect the policies, positions or operations of the PNP,” the statement read.

Even while he was under restrictive custody at the QCPD headquarters at Camp Karingal, Fontillas kept on attacking online Marcos and some top PNP officials.

Among his usual targets were PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Maj. Gen. Nicolas Torre III and PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, repeatedly criticizing them on Facebook over Duterte’s arrest.

While he kept on insisting that he is not biased in favor of the former president, Fontillas has shared posts that support Duterte on his social media account.

Police officers are duty-bound to stay apolitical while they remain active members of the PNP.

Even if he has already resigned, QCPD officer-in-charge Col. Randy Glenn Silvio said Fontillas is not off the hook yet when it comes to his administrative cases.

“The administrative cases will proceed since the offenses were committed while he was still with the PNP service,” Silvio said in a message on Viber, referring to the complaints for grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer before the National Police Commission.

If the Napolcom’s decision is to dismiss him from service, Silvio said Fontillas would be perpetually disqualified from holding other government posts.

Fontillas is also facing a case of inciting to sedition before the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.