Viral cop scrutinizing PNP dismissed

The National Police Commission (Napolcom) has dismissed a police officer who gained notoriety for publicly criticizing top officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) over their alleged involvement in the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Following deliberations on Wednesday, the Napolcom en banc found Patrolman Francis Steve Fontillas guilty of grave misconduct, conduct unbecoming a police officer and disloyalty to the government.

The commission also permanently barred Fontillas from holding any future positions in public service.

To recall, Duterte was taken into custody by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 11 March following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

The former President was transported to The Hague, where he is awaiting trial on charges of crimes against humanity related to killings that occurred during his administration’s war on illegal drugs.

Fontillas had also criticized the ICC and Interpol. He resigned from the police force on 10 April after his public statements against Duterte’s arrest went viral.

However, Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer Rafael Vicente Calinisan stated that Fontillas’ resignation did not exempt him from administrative and potential criminal charges.

“Since Fontillas was already formally charged in the Napolcom before his resignation, the Napolcom already acquired jurisdiction over his person. Thus, no matter what Fontillas claims, he cannot conveniently escape liability through resignation, and was thus made liable, as he should be,” Calinisan said in a statement on Thursday.

“While we wanted to be kind given Fontillas’ condition, the paramount interest of the Filipino people is what is at stake. The Napolcom exercises administrative control and operational supervision over the PNP under the Constitution,” he added.

Calinisan also stressed that Napolcom “will go hard against rogue cops who would tarnish the uniform and erode the public trust.”